The bill amends Oklahoma's criminal procedure laws to expand the eligibility for expungement of criminal records. It includes individuals who have been acquitted, had their convictions reversed, or proven their factual innocence through DNA evidence. New provisions require the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to evaluate specific criteria for expungement eligibility and to create an online portal for expedited requests. The bill also clarifies definitions related to expungement and modifies the procedures for sealing and unsealing records. Additionally, it introduces new eligibility criteria with waiting periods and conditions for various offenses, allows for automatic sealing of eligible records, and mandates OSBI to notify individuals when their records are sealed.
Moreover, the bill proposes significant changes to the automatic expungement process, requiring the OSBI to provide a list of eligible cases to the courts for signed expungement orders. It clarifies that individuals can still seek expungement if automatic processes fail and establishes that they cannot claim damages if their records are not identified for automatic expungement. The bill also includes provisions for reimbursement of filing fees for granted petitions and ensures that expunged offenses will not count as prior offenses in future determinations. It repeals previous expungement-related laws and sets an effective date for the new provisions to take effect on November 1, 2026, aiming to streamline the expungement process and enhance the rights of individuals seeking to clear their records.
Statutes affected: Introduced: