JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK APPLAUDS GOV. HUTCHINSON FOR SIGNING LANDMARK EXPUNGEMENT REFORM BILL
HB 1256 Will Boost Employment and Arkansas’ Workforce
(Little Rock, AR) -- Today, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1256, critical legislation to provide individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses a record-sealing petitioning process to increase opportunities for employment, housing, and education. Sponsored by Representative Justin Boyd (R-77) and Senator Bob Ballinger (R-5) and passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, House Bill 1256 will allow expungement of qualifying offenses, regardless of when the offense occurred, and expand expungement eligibility to formerly incarcerated individuals. Previously, qualifying offenses before 2013 and individuals who spent a day or more in state prison were both ineligible for expungement.
“House Bill 1256 will expand opportunity, advance public safety, and improve outcomes for Arkansans who’ve paid their debt to society and are working to turn their lives around,” said Carl Filler, State Policy Analyst for Justice Action Network. “We applaud Governor Hutchinson, Representative Boyd, Senator Ballinger, and the members of the legislature who voted for the bill for supporting this life-changing legislation and giving Arkansans the fresh start they need to achieve a successful life.”
Prior to the passage of the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act (CCRSA) of 2013, an average of 106 individuals per month petitioned to have their records sealed. After passage of the CCRSA, that number nearly doubled to 202 petitions per month in 2019-2020. House Bill 1256 will build on those successes by expanding the pool of Arkansans eligible for record-sealing.
Specifically, House Bill 1256 will:
Allow for expungement of offenses prior to 2013. Previously, all convictions had to be after 2013 to be eligible for expungement.
Allow for individuals who were incarcerated in state prison to qualify for expungement. Previously, anyone who spent a day or more in state prison was ineligible for expungement.