Enacts the Getting Rehabilitated Ohioans Working Act
With this act, individuals who qualify will be given the opportunity to have their criminal records sealed automatically after three years, unless objections are raised by the prosecutor or the criminal identification bureau. By streamlining the sealing process, the bill aims to promote the employment prospects of rehabilitated individuals, contributing to their ability to become productive members of society. Additionally, it provides an avenue for multiple cases to be addressed in a single application, further simplifying the legal process for those seeking closure on past offenses.
House Bill 460, also known as the Getting Rehabilitated Ohioans Working Act, seeks to amend existing laws relating to the sealing and expungement of criminal records in Ohio. The primary intent of this bill is to facilitate the automatic sealing of certain criminal records for individuals who have shown rehabilitation after their sentencing. This is aimed at reducing the barriers faced by rehabilitated individuals in securing employment and reintegrating into society. The bill outlines specific timelines for when an individual may apply for sealing or expungement based on the type of offense and the length of time since their final discharge from court obligations.
The bill does specify certain exclusions regarding what types of offenses cannot be sealed. Violent felonies, sexual offenses, and cases where the victim was a minor are explicitly mentioned as ineligible. This delineation of what can and cannot be sealed may be a point of contention among advocates for criminal justice reform, who may argue that it is important to allow for a wider range of offenses to be sealed upon demonstrating rehabilitation. Furthermore, the need for hearings where the prosecutor can object introduces a layer of complexity that some may argue could slow down the sealing process.
If enacted, the bill will require the establishment of procedures by each court to facilitate the automatic sealing of qualified records. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation will be responsible for identifying eligible records and communicating with prosecutors and courts. This aspect of the bill requires effective administrative coordination to ensure that qualified records are sealed without undue delay. Moreover, a yearly report will be submitted to the General Assembly, documenting cases where sealing was denied due to objections, ensuring transparency in the process.