The proposed bill significantly reforms New Jersey's expungement laws to enhance eligibility for individuals seeking to clear their criminal records. Key amendments include the removal of the cap on the number of convictions that can be expunged and the elimination of restrictions on the number of times a person can apply for expungement. Individuals with one or more convictions can apply after a waiting period of six years for indictable offenses and five years for disorderly persons offenses. The bill also clarifies that individuals with prior convictions are eligible for expungement if they meet the other criteria, thereby broadening access to this legal relief.

Additionally, the bill modifies the expungement process by allowing applications to proceed even if individuals have outstanding fines, as long as the court can still collect those amounts. It also permits consideration of expungement applications before the waiting period has fully elapsed under certain conditions, such as compliance with payment plans or the court's discretion regarding public interest. The bill repeals N.J.S.2C:52-32, which previously imposed limitations based on the number of convictions or prior requests for relief. Overall, these changes aim to facilitate the reintegration of individuals with criminal records into society by making the expungement process more accessible and efficient.