This bill amends K.S.A. 38-2312 to establish a process for the automatic expungement of certain juvenile records upon final discharge for adjudications concerning acts that would be considered offenses if committed by an adult. Specifically, starting July 1, 2025, the court will automatically order the expungement of all related records or files without requiring any action from the juvenile, and no docket fee will be charged for this process. However, the bill specifies that records related to serious offenses, such as murder and sexual crimes, will not be eligible for expungement. Additionally, it clarifies that juveniles required to register under the Kansas offender registration act will not have their records expunged while they are under that obligation.

The bill also outlines the procedure for juveniles or their guardians to apply for expungement of records that are not automatically expunged. It includes requirements for the petition, such as the juvenile's personal information and details about the offense. The court will hold a hearing to determine if the expungement should be granted based on specific criteria, including the juvenile's age, behavior since discharge, and whether they have any pending legal issues. The bill repeals the existing K.S.A. 38-2312 and introduces these new provisions to streamline the expungement process for juvenile offenders.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2312