Bill To Automatically Clear Records In CA Proposed

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill Monday that would clear the criminal records of certain people once they complete the terms of their sentence.

Assembly Bill 2978 would automatically clear the records of people with eligible convictions dating back to 1973 to make it easier for them to find a job, apply for housing or seek other potentially restricted opportunities. The bill is sponsored by Californians for Safety and Justice and has received the support of multiple district attorneys from around the state.

Currently, residents with a prior conviction can only clear their record by filing a legal petition, which can necessitate costly actions like hiring a lawyer and filing paperwork.

According to Ting, the bill is a companion to his AB 1076, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year and will offer the same record clearance to new cases beginning in 2021.

Both bills apply to most misdemeanor and felony convictions, save for major felonies like rape, murder and sexual misconduct with a minor.

"While I'm grateful my law from last year will help those arrested after Jan. 1, 2021, millions of Californians today are still living in a paper prison," Ting said in a statement. "Their records prevent them from getting jobs or housing. Let's give people with past convictions the same clean slate that individuals in the future will be entitled to."

According to Ting's office, some 8 million people in California have a prior conviction on their record that can lead to a litany of legal restrictions.

The state legislatures in Pennsylvania and Utah have enacted similar laws and Michigan is considering record clearance legislation. Ting's office expects the bill to head to committee this spring.

Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. —Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.