Apr. 12, 2018
HARRISBURG – The House today approved legislation authored by Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) to seal low-level criminal records after 10 years without a subsequent criminal arrest.
“People who had a criminal conviction from decades past and have turned their lives around, without any other police involvement, have faced employment barriers due to their prior bad actions,” Delozier said. “By sealing from public view minor criminal offenses which are at least 10 years old, individuals can have a clean slate to move on with their lives. In addition, this discourages recidivism, as well as requires restitution and court costs be paid for eligibility.”
House Bill 1419 would build upon
Act 5 of 2016 by automatically sealing records of second- and third-degree misdemeanor criminal convictions after 10 years without a subsequent arrest, prosecution or conviction. Act 5 of 2016 allows for the sealing if a petition is filed by the accused. This legislation does not apply to violent offenses related to danger of a person; against a family; firearms or other dangerous article; sexual offenses and registration; cruelty to animals; and corruption of minors.
“This legislation is the product of many months of work,” Delozier said. “I appreciate the input from a variety of stakeholders, including members of law enforcement, the chamber of commerce and prosecutors. This legislation balances the opportunity for low-level, nonviolent offenders to move forward, while at the same time not shielding the records of violent criminals.”
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The 88th Legislative District in Cumberland County includes Lower Allen and Upper Allen townships and the boroughs of Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland, Shiremanstown and Wormleysburg.
Representative Sheryl Delozier
88th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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