Senate Bill 956 amends the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the expunction of certain offenses. The bill modifies the waiting periods required before a person can file a petition for expunction based on the classification of the offense. Specifically, it establishes that for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, three years must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence; for Class D felonies, six years; and for Class C felonies, ten years. This change is reflected in the amendments to Section 40-32-101(g)(2)(B) and Section 40-32-101(k)(1)(C), which also clarifies the waiting periods when multiple offenses are involved.

The bill aims to streamline the expunction process by clearly defining the timeframes necessary for different classifications of offenses, thereby potentially allowing individuals to have their records cleared sooner under specified conditions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that the changes are implemented in a timely manner for those seeking expunction.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-32-101(g)(2)(B), 40-32-101, 40-32-101(k)(1)(C)