Crimes: records: sealing.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill creates a new process for individuals whose arrests did not lead to a conviction, whose charges were dismissed, or who were convicted of non‑violent, non‑sex offenses to ask a judge to seal their criminal records. After a waiting period of four years without a new conviction, the court can order law‑enforcement agencies and the DOJ to seal the records, limiting future access.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 55. Noes 18. Page 5349.) · May 26, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Public Safety Committee Hearing
  Public Safety · Jun 30, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 13, 2026

History

1. Jun 3, 2026Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2. May 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 55. Noes 18.)
4. May 19, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 18, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
6. May 14, 2026Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
7. May 14, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 14).
8. May 13, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
9. Apr 15, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. Apr 15, 2026Coauthors revised.
11. Mar 17, 2026Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
12. Mar 16, 2026Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

The 12 most recent of 15 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Josh Lowenthal (D) · sponsor
• Lowenthal
• Schultz
• Sharp-Collins

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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