Bill S.12 amends Chapter 230 of Title 13 of the Vermont Statutes to enhance the expungement and sealing of criminal history records. It introduces new definitions, such as "criminal justice purposes," and revises the definition of "qualifying crime" to expand the list of misdemeanors eligible for expungement while excluding serious offenses like sexual exploitation of children. The bill outlines the procedures for individuals seeking to expunge or seal their records, specifying conditions for petition approval, including the completion of sentences and absence of new convictions. It emphasizes that expungement must serve the interests of justice and establishes a rebuttable presumption regarding the amount of regulated drugs involved in certain convictions.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the expungement of municipal violation records after two years of satisfying a judgment, provided there are no subsequent violations. It mandates the Court Administrator to establish policies for implementing these expungement processes, with new regulations applying to municipal violations occurring on or after July 1, 2025, and motor vehicle violations on or after July 1, 2021. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing time for necessary preparations. Overall, S.12 aims to facilitate the clearing of criminal records while maintaining safeguards against serious offenses and ensuring confidentiality for sealed records.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 13-230, 13-7041, 23-2303
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 13-230, 13-7041, 23-2303
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 13-230, 23-2303