The bill amends and reenacts Article 973(E) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and enacts Article 985.2, focusing on the expungement of criminal records in Louisiana. It clarifies that expunged records can still be used by judges, magistrates, law enforcement, and prosecutors for various legal purposes, including setting bail and sentencing. The new Article 985.2 establishes an automated process for expunging qualifying records, requiring the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information to identify eligible records and facilitate their expungement. Starting January 1, 2025, defendants can request expungement through this automated system, which will streamline the process and ensure timely notification to relevant parties.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of district court clerks in verifying and marking records as expunged, as well as notifying the district attorney, sheriff, and arresting agency of the expungement. It authorizes the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to create rules for implementing these provisions and emphasizes that individuals can still seek expungement through other means if they are eligible. The bill's effectiveness is contingent upon specific appropriations being made for its implementation in the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.