This bill establishes new procedures and timelines for processing judicial orders of expungements in New Jersey, aiming to streamline the expungement process and reduce delays. It mandates that law enforcement or criminal justice agencies must effectuate an expungement order within 90 days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension under specific circumstances, such as discrepancies in information or the need for additional details from the petitioner. The bill also prohibits agencies from filing objections to valid expungement petitions based on certain technicalities, ensuring that expungements can proceed without unnecessary hindrances. If an objection is filed for other reasons, the agency must refer the petitioner to the Office of the Public Defender if they lack legal representation.

Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to provide annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the number of expungement orders received, as well as the backlog of orders pending processing beyond the established timelines. This legislative action is a response to a settlement agreement from a lawsuit concerning delays in the expungement process, and it aims to ensure that individuals can have their records expunged in a timely manner, thereby improving access to justice and reducing the impact of criminal records on individuals' lives.