This bill amends N.J.S.2C:52-15 to require that expunged records of arrest or conviction be made accessible for immigration purposes. Specifically, it introduces a new provision stating that upon request from a person whose records have been expunged, all records specified in the expungement order must be made available to that individual or their representative for immigration or naturalization matters. The bill also clarifies that "immigration or naturalization matter" aligns with the definition provided in section 1 of P.L.1997, c.1 (C.2C:21-31).

Currently, when a court grants an expungement, the records are removed from law enforcement and criminal justice agency files, and agencies must respond to inquiries by stating that no record exists. This can create challenges for noncitizens who need access to their expunged records for immigration-related processes, as federal authorities may still consider these records. The bill aims to ensure that individuals can obtain the necessary documentation to support their immigration status, thereby addressing potential barriers faced by noncitizens in navigating immigration or naturalization proceedings.