The bill amends various articles of the Code of Criminal Procedure to streamline the expunction process for arrest records and files. Key changes include the addition of a requirement for individuals seeking expunction to provide specific information in their petitions, such as personal details and the circumstances surrounding their arrest. The bill also introduces new provisions that prohibit listing any state or local agency more than once in a petition and restricts the inclusion of multiple contacts for different divisions of the same agency. Additionally, it establishes a $25 fee for the clerk of the court to charge for each official or agency that cannot receive electronic transmissions of the petition or notice of hearing.
Furthermore, the bill modifies the procedures for notifying relevant agencies and entities about expunction orders, allowing for electronic communication and eliminating the need for certified mail in certain cases. It mandates that the Department of Public Safety notify central federal depositories of criminal records upon receipt of a petition or notice of hearing. The bill also includes provisions for the destruction of records and files related to expunction orders, ensuring that they are maintained confidentially and only accessible to the individual subject to the order. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to petitions or applications filed after that date.