The bill amends RCW 9.96.060 to clarify the eligibility criteria for vacating nonfelony convictions, specifically misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Key changes include the insertion of the requirement that applicants must have satisfied all financial obligations related to their sentence before being eligible for record vacation. Additionally, the bill specifies that for certain offenses, such as driving under the influence, the time frame for considering prior offenses has been standardized to ten years. It also introduces a new provision that allows applicants to have their records vacated if they have completed their sentence terms, including treatment programs, and have maintained compliance for a specified period.

Furthermore, the bill outlines various circumstances under which an applicant may be ineligible for record vacation, such as pending criminal charges or previous domestic violence convictions. It also establishes a process for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence to have their records vacated, emphasizing the court's discretion in these cases. The bill ensures that once a conviction is vacated, the individual is released from penalties and disabilities associated with the offense, allowing them to state they have never been convicted of that crime for employment or housing applications.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9.96.060
Substitute Bill: 9.96.060
Bill as Passed Legislature: 9.96.060
Session Law: 9.96.060