House Bill 1545 amends Tennessee law to establish a process for individuals to petition the court to seal their criminal history records for specific offenses. The bill introduces a new part to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 32, allowing eligible individuals to file a petition after fulfilling certain conditions, including the payment of a $500 fee. The court will seal the records if the individual meets the eligibility criteria, which include completing their sentence, not having pending criminal charges, and being conviction-free for at least five years. The bill specifies that sealed records can still be accessed by certain agencies, such as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health, for specific purposes.

The bill outlines a comprehensive list of offenses eligible for sealing, including various crimes related to theft, fraud, and drug offenses, among others. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for the court to rescind the sealing order if the individual is charged with a new offense, ensuring that the sealing of records is contingent upon the individual's ongoing compliance with the law. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.