Representative Karianne Lisonbee proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
AMENDMENTS TO EXPUNGEMENT

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Karianne Lisonbee

5     
Senate Sponsor: Michael S. Kennedy

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses the expungement of records.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     repeals sunset dates regarding issuance and filing fees for expungement;
13          ▸     repeals language relating to the suspension of issuance fees for certificates of
14     eligibility for expungement and filing fees for petitions for expungement;
15          ▸     allows a court to issue an order of expungement for a plea in abeyance when the
16     defendant has completed a problem solving court program and the court dismisses
17     the case against the defendant;
18          ▸     defines terms related to expungement;
19          ▸     clarifies automatic deletion of a traffic offense;
20          ▸     amends provisions related to the automatic expungement of a case, including:
21               •     requiring an individual to submit a form to receive an automatic expungement
22     on and after October 1, 2024, and before October 1, 2027;
23               •     providing that a court automatically expunge cases that are eligible for
24     expungement on and after October 1, 2027;
25               •     for an individual seeking an automatic expungement on and after January 1,

26     2025, prohibiting an automatic expungement if the individual is incarcerated in the state prison
27     or on probation or parole that is supervised by the Department of Corrections; and
28               •     prohibiting an automatic expungement if there is a criminal proceeding pending
29     in this state against the individual for a misdemeanor or felony offense, unless
30     the proceeding is for a traffic offense;
31          ▸     provides that the court and Bureau of Criminal Identification are the only agencies
32     that expunge records affected by an automatic expungement order;
33          ▸     clarifies the certificate of eligibility process;
34          ▸     allows for the waiver of an issuance fee for a certificate of eligibility or a special
35     certificate if a court finds that the individual filing the petition for expungement is
36     indigent;
37          ▸     requires a court to consider the total number of cases for which an individual has
38     received a certificate of expungement when determining whether the individual is
39     indigent;
40          ▸     requires a subsequent court to waive a filing fee for a petition for expungement if a
41     prior court found the individual to be indigent within 180 days before the filing of
42     the petition for expungement;
43          ▸     clarifies the distribution of an expungement order based on a petition and the
44     expungement of records affected by an expungement order based on a petition;
45          ▸     establishes the priority of expungement orders that are processed by a court and the
46     Bureau of Criminal Identification;
47          ▸     requires an agency to develop and implement a process to identify expunged records
48     and keep, index, and maintain all expunged records of arrest;
49          ▸     clarifies the effect of an expungement;
50          ▸     addresses the waiver of a fee for a petition for expungement when the individual has
51     previously received a waiver for a petition for expungement from a prior court;
52          ▸     requires a court to find an individual indigent if the individual submits an affidavit
53     of indigency demonstrating that the individual has an income at or below 175% of
54     the United States poverty level;
55          ▸     requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to include a warning on an affidavit
56     of indigency;

57          ▸     clarifies the expungement of records regarding protective orders, stalking
58     injunctions, and juvenile records;
59          ▸     repeals a statute regarding the time periods for expungement or deletion and
60     identifying and processing clean slate eligible cases; and
61          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
62     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
63          None
64     Other Special Clauses:
65          This bill provides a special effective date.
66     Utah Code Sections Affected:
67     AMENDS:
68          63I-1-277, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 384 and last amended by
69     Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 384
70          63I-1-278, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 188, 318, 384, and 423
71          77-2a-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 113, 415
72          77-40a-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
73          77-40a-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
74          77-40a-201, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
75          77-40a-202, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
76          77-40a-301, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
77          77-40a-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
78          77-40a-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
79          77-40a-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
80          77-40a-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 265, 330
81          77-40a-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 330
82          77-40a-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
83          77-40a-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
84          77-40a-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
85          77-40a-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
86          78A-2-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 184
87          78A-7-209.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 276

88          78B-7-1001, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 270
89          78B-7-1004, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 270
90          80-6-1001, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 115
91          80-6-1006.1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 115
92     ENACTS:
93          77-40a-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
94          77-40a-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
95          77-40a-206, Utah Code Annotated 1953
96          77-40a-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953
97          77-40a-307, Utah Code Annotated 1953
98     REPEALS:
99          77-40a-203, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
100     

101     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
102          Section 1. Section 63I-1-277 is amended to read:
103          63I-1-277. Repeal dates: Title 77.
104          [Subsection 77-40a-304(5), regarding the suspension of issuance fees for certificates of
105     eligibility, is repealed on July 1, 2023.] Reserved.
106          Section 2. Section 63I-1-278 is amended to read:
107          63I-1-278. Repeal dates: Title 78A and Title 78B.
108          [(1) Subsections 78A-2-301(4) and 78A-2-301.5(12), regarding the suspension of filing
109     fees for petitions for expungement, are repealed on July 1, 2023.]
110          [(2)] (1) Section 78B-3-421, regarding medical malpractice arbitration agreements, is
111     repealed July 1, 2029.
112          [(3)] (2) Subsection 78A-7-106(6), regarding the transfer of a criminal action involving
113     a domestic violence offense from the justice court to the district court, is repealed on July 1,
114     2024.
115          [(4)] (3) Section 78B-4-518, regarding the limitation on employer liability for an
116     employee convicted of an offense, is repealed on July 1, 2025.
117          [(5)] (4) Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 2, Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, is repealed
118     July 1, 2026.

119          [(6)] (5) Title 78B, Chapter 12, Part 4, Advisory Committee, which creates the Child
120     Support Guidelines Advisory Committee, is repealed July 1, 2026.
121          [(7)] (6) Section 78B-22-805, regarding the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation
122     Pilot Program, is repealed December 31, 2024.
123          Section 3. Section 77-2a-3 is amended to read:
124          77-2a-3. Manner of entry of plea -- Powers of court -- Expungement.
125          (1) (a) Acceptance of any plea in anticipation of a plea in abeyance agreement shall be
126     done in full compliance with the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 11.
127          (b) In cases charging offenses for which bail may be forfeited, a plea in abeyance
128     agreement may be entered into without a personal appearance before a magistrate.
129          (2) A plea in abeyance agreement may provide that the court may, upon finding that the
130     defendant has successfully completed the terms of the agreement:
131          (a) reduce the degree of the offense, [and enter judgment of conviction and impose
132     sentence for a lower degree of offense; or] enter a judgment of conviction for the lower degree
133     of the offense, and impose a sentence for the lower degree of the offense;
134          (b) allow withdrawal of the defendant's plea and order the dismissal of the case[.]; or
135          (c) issue an order of expungement for all records of the offense if:
136          (i) the defendant successfully completes a problem solving court program that is
137     certified by the Judicial Council; and
138          (ii) the court allows the withdrawal of the defendant's plea and orders the dismissal of
139     the case.
140          (3) (a) Upon finding that a defendant has successfully completed the terms of a plea in
141     abeyance agreement and only as provided in the plea in abeyance agreement or as agreed to by
142     all parties, the court may [reduce the degree of the offense or dismiss the case only as provided
143     in the plea in abeyance agreement or as agreed to by all parties.]:
144          (i) reduce the degree of the offense, enter a judgment of conviction for the lower degree
145     of the offense, and impose a sentence for the lower degree of the offense;
146          (ii) allow withdrawal of the defendant's plea and order the dismissal of the case; or
147          (iii) issue an order of expungement for all records of the offense if:
148          (A) the defendant successfully completes a problem solving court program that is
149     certified by the Judicial Council; and

150          (B) the court allows the withdrawal of the defendant's plea and orders the dismissal of
151     the case.
152          (b) Upon sentencing a defendant for any lesser offense in accordance with a plea in
153     abeyance agreement, the court may not invoke Section 76-3-402 to further reduce the degree of
154     the offense.
155          (4) The court may require the Department of Corrections to assist in the administration
156     of the plea in abeyance agreement as if the defendant were on probation to the court under
157     Section 77-18-105.
158          (5) The terms of a plea in abeyance agreement may include:
159          (a) an order that the defendant pay a nonrefundable plea in abeyance fee, with a
160     surcharge based on the amount of the plea in abeyance fee, both of which shall be allocated in
161     the same manner as if paid as a fine for a criminal conviction under Section 78A-5-110 and a
162     surcharge under Title 51, Chapter 9, Part 4, Criminal Conviction Surcharge Allocation, and
163     which may not exceed in amount the maximum fine and surcharge which could have been
164     imposed upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense;
165          (b) an order that the defendant pay the costs of any remedial or rehabilitative program
166     required by the terms of the agreement; and
167          (c) an order that the defendant comply with any other conditions that could have been
168     imposed as conditions of probation upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense.
169          (6) (a) The terms of a plea in abeyance shall include:
170          (i) a specific amount of restitution that the defendant will pay, as agreed to by the
171     defendant and the prosecuting attorney;
172          (ii) a certification from the prosecuting attorney that:
173          (A) the prosecuting attorney has consulted with all victims, including the Utah Office
174     for Victims of Crime; and
175          (B) all victims, including the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, are not seeking
176     restitution; or
177          (iii) an agreement between the parties that restitution will be determined by the court at
178     a subsequent hearing in accordance with Section 77-38b-205.
179          (b) At a subsequent hearing described in Subsection (6)(a)(iii), the court shall order the
180     defendant, as a modified term of the plea in abeyance, to pay restitution to all victims for the

181     entire amount of pecuniary damages that are proximately caused by the criminal conduct of the
182     defendant.
183          (c) The court shall collect, receive, process, and distribute payments for restitution to
184     the victim, unless otherwise provided by law or by the plea in abeyance agreement.
185          (d) If the defendant does not successfully complete the terms of the plea in abeyance,
186     the court shall enter an order for restitution, in accordance with Chapter 38b, Crime Victims
187     Restitution Act, upon entering a sentence for the defendant.
188          (7) (a) A court may not hold a plea in abeyance without the consent of both the
189     prosecuting attorney and the defendant.
190          (b) A decision by a prosecuting attorney not to agree to a plea in abeyance is final.
191          (8) No plea may be held in abeyance in any case involving:
192          (a) a sexual offense against an individual who is under 14 years old; or
193          (b) a driving under the influence violation under Section 41-6a-502, 41-6a-502.5,
194     41-6a-517, 41-6a-520, 41-6a-520.1, 41-6a-521.1, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207.
195          (9) (a) If the terms of a plea in abeyance agreement allow a court to issue an order of
196     expungement as described in Subsection (2)(c), the prosecuting attorney shall make a
197     reasonable effort to provide notice to any victim of the offense of the terms of the plea in
198     abeyance agreement.
199          (b) The notice under Subsection (9)(a) shall:
200          (i) state that the victim has a right to object to the expungement; and
201          (ii) provide instructions for registering an objection with the court.
202          (c) If there is a victim of the offense, the victim may file an objection with the court
203     before the court makes a finding as to whether the defendant successfully completed the terms
204     of the plea in abeyance agreement as described in Subsection (3).
205          (d) The defendant may respond, in writing, to any objection filed by the victim within
206     14 days after the day on which the objection is received by the court.
207          (10) If the court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (3)(a)(iii), the court
208     shall:
209          (a) expunge all records of the case as described in Section 77-40a-401; and
210          (b) notify the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the order of expungement.
211          (11) (a) Upon receiving notice from the court of an expungement order as described in

212     Subsection (10), the Bureau of Criminal Identification shall notify any agency, as defined in
213     Section 77-40a-101, affected by the expungement order.
214          (b) For purposes of Subsection (11)(a), the Bureau of Criminal Identification may not
215     notify the Board of Pardons and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never
216     been:
217          (i) sentenced to prison in this state; or
218          (ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.
219          (c) The Bureau of Criminal Identification shall forward a copy of the expungement
220     order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
221          (12) The defendant may deliver copies of the expungement to any agency, as defined in
222     Section 77-40a-101, affected by the order of expungement.
223          (13) If an agency receives an expungement order under this part, the agency shall
224     expunge all records for the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
225          Section 4. Section 77-40a-101 is amended to read:
226          77-40a-101. Definitions.
227          As used in this chapter:
228          [(1)] "Agency" means a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
229     maintains records relating to an investigation, arrest, detention, or conviction for an offense for
230     which expungement may be ordered.
231          (1) "Automatic expungement" means the expungement of records of an investigation,
232     arrest, detention, or conviction of an offense without the filing of a petition.
233          (2) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the Department of Public
234     Safety established in Section 53-10-201.
235          (3) "Civil accounts receivable" means the same as that term is defined in Section
236     77-32b-102.
237          (4) "Civil judgment of restitution" means the same as that term is defined in Section
238     77-32b-102.
239          [(3)] (5) "Certificate of eligibility" means a document issued by the bureau stating that
240     the criminal record and all records of arrest, investigation, and detention associated with a case
241     that is the subject of a petition for expungement is eligible for expungement.
242          [(4) (a) "Clean slate eligible case" means, except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), a

243     case:]
244          [(i) where each conviction within the case is:]
245          [(A) a misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
246     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);]
247          [(B) a class B or class C misdemeanor conviction; or]
248          [(C) an infraction conviction;]
249          [(ii) that involves an individual:]
250          [(A) whose total number of convictions in Utah state courts, not including infractions,
251     traffic offenses, or minor regulatory offenses, does not exceed the limits described in
252     Subsections 77-40a-303(4) and (5) without taking into consideration the exception in
253     Subsection 77-40a-303(7); and]
254          [(B) against whom no criminal proceedings are pending in the state; and]
255          [(iii) for which the following time periods have elapsed from the day on which the case
256     is adjudicated:]
257          [(A) at least five years for a class C misdemeanor or an infraction;]
258          [(B) at least six years for a class B misdemeanor; and]
259          [(C) at least seven years for a class A conviction for possession of a controlled
260     substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).]
261          [(b) "Clean slate eligible case" includes a case:]
262          [(i) that is dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
263     agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b) if:]
264          [(A) except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), each charge within the case is a
265     misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection
266     58-37-8(2)(a)(i), a class B or class C misdemeanor, or an infraction;]
267          [(B) the individual involved meets the requirements of Subsection (4)(a)(ii); and]
268          [(C) the time periods described in Subsections (4)(a)(iii)(A) through (C) have elapsed
269     from the day on which the case is dismissed; or]
270          [(ii) where charges are dismissed without prejudice if each conviction, or charge that
271     was dismissed, in the case would otherwise meet the requirements under Subsection (4)(a) or
272     (b)(i).]
273          [(c) "Clean slate eligible case" does not include a case:]

274          [(i) where the individual is found not guilty by reason of insanity;]
275          [(ii) where the case establishes a criminal accounts receivable, as defined in Section
276     77-32b-102, that:]
277          [(A) has been entered as a civil accounts receivable or a civil judgment of restitution,
278     as those terms are defined in Section 77-32b-102, and transferred to the Office of State Debt
279     Collection under Section 77-18-114; or]
280          [(B) has not been satisfied according to court records; or]
281          [(iii) that resulted in one or more pleas held in abeyance or convictions for the
282     following offenses:]
283          [(A) any of the offenses listed in Subsection 77-40a-303(2)(a);]
284          [(B) an offense against the person in violation of Title 76, Chapter 5, Offenses Against
285     the Individual;]
286          [(C) a weapons offense in violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons;]
287          [(D) sexual battery in violation of Section 76-9-702.1;]
288          [(E) an act of lewdness in violation of Section 76-9-702 or 76-9-702.5;]
289          [(F) an offense in violation of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence
290     and Reckless Driving;]
291          [(G) damage to or interruption of a communication device in violation of Section
292     76-6-108;]
293          [(H) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1; or]
294          [(I) any other offense classified in the Utah Code as a felony or a class A misdemeanor
295     other than a class A misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in
296     violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).]
297          (6) "Clean slate eligible case" means a case that is eligible for automatic expungement
298     under Section 77-40a-205.
299          [(5)] (7) "Conviction" means judgment by a criminal court on a verdict or finding of
300     guilty after trial, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere.
301          (8) "Court" means a district court or a justice court.
302          (9) "Criminal accounts receivable" means the same as that term is defined in Section
303     77-32b-102.
304          [(6)] (10) "Criminal protective order" means the same as that term is defined in Section

305     78B-7-102.
306          [(7)] (11) "Criminal stalking injunction" means the same as that term is defined in
307     Section 78B-7-102.
308          [(8)] (12) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety established in Section
309     53-1-103.
310          [(9)] (13) "Drug possession offense" means [an offense under]:
311          (a) an offense described in Subsection 58-37-8(2), except for:
312          (i) [any] an offense under Subsection 58-37-8(2)(b)(i), possession of 100 pounds or
313     more of marijuana;
314          (ii) [any] an offense enhanced under Subsection 58-37-8(2)(e), violation in a
315     correctional facility; or
316          (iii) an offense for driving with a controlled substance illegally in the person's body and
317     negligently causing serious bodily injury or death of another, as codified before May 4, 2022,
318     Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 236, Section 1, Subsection 58-37-8(2)(g);
319          (b) an offense described in Subsection 58-37a-5(1), use or possession of drug
320     paraphernalia;
321          (c) an offense described in Section 58-37b-6, possession or use of an imitation
322     controlled substance; or
323          (d) any local ordinance which is substantially similar to any of the offenses described
324     in this Subsection [(9)] (13).
325          [(10)] (14) (a) "Expunge" means to [seal or otherwise restrict access to the individual's
326     record held by an agency when the record includes a criminal investigation, detention, arrest, or
327     conviction.] remove a record from public inspection by:
328          (i) sealing the record; or
329          (ii) restricting or denying access to the record.
330          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a record.
331          (15) "Indigent" means a financial status that results from a court finding that a
332     petitioner is financially unable to pay the fee to file a petition for expungement under Section
333     78A-2-302.
334          [(11)] (16) "Jurisdiction" means a state, district, province, political subdivision,
335     territory, or possession of the United States or any foreign country.

336          [(12)] (17) (a) "Minor regulatory offense" means, except as provided in Subsection
337     [(12)(c)] (17)(c), a class B or C misdemeanor offense or a local ordinance.
338          (b) "Minor regulatory offense" includes an offense under Section 76-9-701 or
339     76-10-105.
340          (c) "Minor regulatory offense" does not include:
341          (i) any drug possession offense;
342          (ii) an offense under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and
343     Reckless Driving;
344          (iii) an offense under Sections 73-18-13 through 73-18-13.6;
345          (iv) except as provided in Subsection [(12)(b)] (17)(b), an offense under Title 76, Utah
346     Criminal Code; or
347          (v) any local ordinance that is substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsections
348     [(12)(c)(i)] (17)(c)(i) through (iv).
349          [(13)] (18) "Petitioner" means an individual applying for expungement under this
350     chapter.
351          [(14)] (19) "Plea in abeyance" means the same as that term is defined in Section
352     77-2a-1.
353          (20) "Record" means a book, letter, document, paper, map, plan, photograph, film,
354     card, tape, recording, electronic data, or other documentary material, regardless of physical
355     form or characteristics, that:
356          (a) is contained in the agency's file regarding the arrest, detention, investigation,
357     conviction, sentence, incarceration, probation, or parole of an individual; and
358          (b) is prepared, owned, received, or retained by an agency, including a court.
359          [(15)] (21) (a) "Traffic offense" means, except as provided in Subsection [(15)(b)]
360     (21)(b):
361          (i) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
362     under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code;
363          (ii) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
364     under Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 2, Driver Licensing Act;
365          (iii) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
366     under Title 73, Chapter 18, State Boating Act; and

367          (iv) all local ordinances that are substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsections
368     [(15)(a)(i)] (21)(a)(i) through (iii).
369          (b) "Traffic offense" does not mean:
370          (i) an offense under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and
371     Reckless Driving;
372          (ii) an offense under Sections 73-18-13 through 73-18-13.6; or
373          (iii) any local ordinance that is substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsection
374     [(15)(b)(i)] (21)(b)(i) or (ii).
375          [(16)] (22) "Traffic offense case" means that each offense in the case is a traffic
376     offense.
377          Section 5. Section 77-40a-104 is amended to read:
378          77-40a-104. Department rulemaking authority.
379          In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
380     department may make rules to:
381          (1) implement procedures for processing an automatic expungement;
382          (2) implement procedures for applying for certificates of eligibility;
383          (3) specify procedures for receiving a certificate of eligibility;
384          (4) create forms and determine information necessary to be provided to the bureau; and
385          (5) implement procedures for the confirmation of an expungement under Subsection
386     [77-40a-403(2)] 77-40a-401(4).
387          Section 6. Section 77-40a-201 is amended to read:
388     
Part 2. Automatic Expungement and Deletion

389          77-40a-201. General provisions for automatic expungement and deletion.
390          [(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) and subject to Section 77-40a-203, this
391     section governs the process for the automatic expungement of all records in:]
392          [(i) except as provided in Subsection (2)(e), a case that resulted in an acquittal on all
393     charges;]
394          [(ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(e), a case that is dismissed with prejudice; or]
395          [(iii) a case that is a clean slate eligible case.]
396          [(b) This section does not govern automatic expungement of a traffic offense.]
397          [(2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(e), the process for automatic

398     expungement of records for a case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges is as described in
399     Subsections (2)(b) through (d).]
400          [(b) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
401     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
402          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
403          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
404     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
405          [(c) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement
406     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
407          [(d) For a case resulting in an acquittal on all charges on or before May 1, 2020, that is
408     automatically expunged under this Subsection (2), a law enforcement agency shall expunge
409     records for the case within one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency
410     receives notice from the bureau.]
411          [(e) For purposes of this section, a case that resulted in acquittal on all charges does not
412     include a case that resulted in an acquittal because the individual is found not guilty by reason
413     of insanity.]
414          [(3) (a) The process for an automatic expungement of a case that is dismissed with
415     prejudice is as described in Subsections (3)(b) through (d).]
416          [(b) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
417     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
418          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
419          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
420     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
421          [(c) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement
422     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
423          [(d) For a case dismissed on or before May 1, 2020, that is automatically expunged
424     under this Subsection (3), a law enforcement agency shall expunge records for the case within
425     one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency receives notice from the bureau.]
426          [(e) For purposes of this Subsection (3), a case that is dismissed with prejudice does
427     not include a case that is dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea
428     in abeyance agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b).]

429          [(4) (a) The process for the automatic expungement of a clean slate eligible case is as
430     described in Subsections (4)(b) through (g) and in accordance with any rules made by the
431     Judicial Council or the Supreme Court.]
432          [(b) A prosecuting agency, that has complied with Rule 42 of the Utah Rules of
433     Criminal Procedure, shall receive notice on a monthly basis for any case prosecuted by that
434     agency that appears to be a clean slate eligible case.]
435          [(c) Within 35 days of the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4)(b) is
436     sent, the prosecuting agency shall provide written notice in accordance with any rules made by
437     the Judicial Council or the Supreme Court if the prosecuting agency objects to an automatic
438     expungement for any of the following reasons:]
439          [(i) after reviewing the agency record, the prosecuting agency believes that the case
440     does not meet the definition of a clean slate eligible case;]
441          [(ii) the individual has not paid court-ordered restitution to the victim; or]
442          [(iii) the prosecuting agency has a reasonable belief, grounded in supporting facts, that
443     an individual with a clean slate eligible case is continuing to engage in criminal activity within
444     or outside of the state.]
445          [(d) (i) If a prosecuting agency provides written notice of an objection for a reason
446     described in Subsection (4)(c) within 35 days of the day on which the notice described in
447     Subsection (4)(b) is sent, the court may not proceed with automatic expungement.]
448          [(ii) If 35 days pass from the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4)(b) is
449     sent without the prosecuting agency providing written notice of an objection for a reason
450     described in Subsection (4)(c), the court may proceed with automatic expungement.]
451          [(e) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
452     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
453          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
454          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
455     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
456          [(f) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement
457     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
458          [(g) For a clean slate case adjudicated or dismissed on or before May 1, 2020, that is
459     automatically expunged under this Subsection (4), a law enforcement agency shall expunge

460     records for the case within one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency
461     receives notice from the bureau.]
462          [(5)] (1) Nothing in this section precludes an individual from filing a petition for
463     expungement of records that are eligible for automatic expungement or deletion under this
464     section if an automatic expungement or deletion has not occurred pursuant to this section.
465          [(6)] (2) An automatic expungement performed under this [section] part does not
466     preclude a person from requesting access to expunged records in accordance with Section
467     77-40a-403 or 77-40a-404.
468          [(7)] (3) (a) The Judicial Council and the Supreme Court shall make rules to govern the
469     process for automatic expungement.
470          (b) The rules under Subsection [(7)(a)] (3)(a) may authorize:
471          (i) a presiding judge of a district court to issue an expungement order for any case
472     when the requirements for automatic expungement are met; and
473          (ii) a presiding judge of a justice court to issue an expungement order for any justice
474     court case within the presiding judge's judicial district when the requirements for automatic
475     expungement are met.
476          (4) An individual does not have a cause of action for damages as a result of the failure
477     to:
478          (a) identify an individual's case as eligible for automatic expungement or deletion
479     under this part; or
480          (b) automatically expunge or delete the records of a case that is eligible under this part.
481          Section 7. Section 77-40a-202 is amended to read:
482          77-40a-202. Automatic deletion for traffic offense by a court.
483          (1) [Subject to Section 77-40a-203,] A court shall delete all records for the following
484     traffic offenses [shall be deleted] without a court order or notice to the prosecuting agency:
485          (a) a traffic offense case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges;
486          (b) a traffic offense case that is dismissed with prejudice, except for a case that is
487     dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in abeyance agreement
488     governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b); or
489          (c) a traffic offense case for which the following time periods have elapsed from the
490     day on which the case is adjudicated:

491          (i) at least five years for a class C misdemeanor or an infraction; or
492          (ii) at least six years for a class B misdemeanor.
493          (2) For a traffic offense case that results in an acquittal, is dismissed, or is adjudicated
494     on or after May 1, 2020, the court shall delete all records for the traffic offense upon
495     identification.
496          (3) For a traffic offense case that results in an acquittal, is dismissed, or is adjudicated
497     before May 1, 2020, the court shall delete all records for the traffic offense within one year of
498     the day on which the case is identified as eligible for deletion.
499          [(2) The Judicial Council shall make rules to provide an ongoing process for
500     identifying and deleting records on all traffic offenses described in Subsection (1).]
501          Section 8. Section 77-40a-204 is enacted to read:
502          77-40a-204. Request for automatic expungement of a case -- Automatic
503     expungement before October 1, 2024, and on and after October 1, 2027.
504          (1) (a) On and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, an individual must
505     submit the necessary form to the court to receive an expungement of a case that is eligible
506     under this part.
507          (b) If a form is submitted as described in Subsection (1), the court shall determine
508     whether the individual has a case that qualifies for expungement in accordance with Sections
509     77-40a-205 and 77-40a-206.
510          (2) A court shall automatically expunge a case in accordance with this part if the court
511     identified the case as being eligible for automatic expungement before October 1, 2024, and the
512     requirements for automatic expungement were met under this part.
513          (3) On and after October 1, 2027, a court shall automatically expunge a case in
514     accordance with this part if the court identifies the case as being eligible for automatic
515     expungement.
516          (4) A court shall make reasonable efforts, within available funding, to expunge a case
517     under Subsection (3) as quickly as practicable with the goal of:
518          (a) expunging a case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges on or after May 1,
519     2020, 60 days after acquittal;
520          (b) expunging a case that resulted in a dismissal with prejudice, other than a case that is
521     dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in abeyance agreement

522     governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b), on or after May 1, 2020, 180 days after:
523          (i) for a case in which no appeal was filed, the day on which the entire case against the
524     individual is dismissed with prejudice; or
525          (ii) for a case in which an appeal was filed, the day on which a court issues a final
526     nonappealable order;
527          (c) expunging a clean slate eligible case that is adjudicated or dismissed on or after
528     May 1, 2020, and is not a traffic offense within 30 days of the court determining that the
529     requirements for expungement have been satisfied under Section 77-40a-206; and
530          (d) expunging a case adjudicated or dismissed before May 1, 2020, within one year of
531     the day on which the case is identified as eligible for automatic expungement.
532          Section 9. Section 77-40a-205 is enacted to read:
533          77-40a-205. Automatic expungement of state records for a clean slate case.
534          (1) A court shall issue an order of expungement, without the filing of a petition, for all
535     records of the case that are held by the court and the bureau if:
536          (a) on and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, the individual submitted
537     a form requesting expungement of a case as described in Section 77-40a-204;
538          (b) the case is eligible for expungement under this section; and
539          (c) the prosecuting agency does not object to the expungement of the case as described
540     in Subsection (6).
541          (2) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3), a case is eligible for expungement
542     under this section if:
543          (a) (i) each conviction within the case is a conviction for:
544          (A) a misdemeanor offense for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
545     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);
546          (B) a class B misdemeanor offense;
547          (C) a class C misdemeanor offense; or
548          (D) an infraction; and
549          (ii) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the individual is
550     adjudicated:
551          (A) at least five years for the conviction of a class C misdemeanor offense or an
552     infraction;

553          (B) at least six years for the conviction of a class B misdemeanor offense; or
554          (C) at least seven years for the conviction of a class A misdemeanor offense for
555     possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i); or
556          (b) (i) the case is dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
557     agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b) or the case is dismissed without prejudice;
558          (ii) each charge within the case is:
559          (A) a misdemeanor offense for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
560     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);
561          (B) a class B misdemeanor offense;
562          (C) a class C misdemeanor offense; or
563          (D) an infraction; and
564          (iii) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the case is
565     dismissed:
566          (A) at least five years for a charge in the case for a class C misdemeanor offense or an
567     infraction;
568          (B) at least six years for a charge in the case for a class B misdemeanor offense; or
569          (C) at least seven years for a charge in the case for a class A misdemeanor offense for
570     possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).
571          (3) A case is not eligible for expungement under this section if:
572          (a) the individual has a total number of convictions in courts of this state that exceed
573     the limits under Subsection 77-40a-303(4) or (5) without taking into consideration:
574          (i) the exception in Subsection 77-40a-303(7); or
575          (ii) any infraction, traffic offense, or minor regulatory offense;
576          (b) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending in a
577     court of this state against the individual, unless the proceeding is for a traffic offense;
578          (c) for an individual seeking an automatic expungement on and after January 1, 2025,
579     the individual is incarcerated in the state prison or on probation or parole that is supervised by
580     the Department of Corrections;
581          (d) the case resulted in the individual being found not guilty by reason of insanity;
582          (e) the case establishes a criminal accounts receivable that:
583          (i) has been entered as a civil accounts receivable or a civil judgment of restitution and

584     transferred to the Office of State Debt Collection under Section 77-18-114; or
585          (ii) has not been satisfied according to court records; or
586          (f) the case resulted in a plea held in abeyance or a conviction for the following
587     offenses:
588          (i) any of the offenses listed in Subsection 77-40a-303(2)(a);
589          (ii) an offense against the person in violation of Title 76, Chapter 5, Offenses Against
590     the Individual;
591          (iii) a weapons offense in violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons;
592          (iv) sexual battery in violation of Section 76-9-702.1;
593          (v) an act of lewdness in violation of Section 76-9-702 or 76-9-702.5;
594          (vi) an offense in violation of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence
595     and Reckless Driving;
596          (vii) damage to or interruption of a communication device in violation of Section
597     76-6-108;
598          (viii) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1; or
599          (ix) any other offense classified in the Utah Code as a felony or a class A misdemeanor
600     other than a class A misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in
601     violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).
602          (4) A prosecuting agency that has complied with Rule 42 of the Utah Rules of Criminal
603     Procedure shall receive notice on a monthly basis for any case prosecuted by that agency that
604     appears to be eligible for automatic expungement under this section.
605          (5) Within 35 days after the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4) is
606     sent, the prosecuting agency shall provide written notice in accordance with Rule 42 of the
607     Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure if the prosecuting agency objects to an automatic
608     expungement for any of the following reasons:
609          (a) the prosecuting agency believes that the case is not eligible for expungement under
610     this section after reviewing the agency record;
611          (b) the individual has not paid restitution to the victim as ordered by the court; or
612          (c) the prosecuting agency has a reasonable belief, grounded in supporting facts, that an
613     individual involved in the case is continuing to engage in criminal activity within or outside of
614     the state.

615          (6) If a prosecuting agency provides written notice of an objection for a reason
616     described in Subsection (5) within 35 days after the day on which the notice under Subsection
617     (4) is sent, the court may not proceed with automatic expungement of the case.
618          (7) If 35 days pass after the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4) is sent
619     without the prosecuting agency providing written notice of an objection under Subsection (5),
620     the court shall proceed with automatic expungement of the case.
621          (8) If a court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (1), the court shall:
622          (a) expunge all records of the case held by the court in accordance with Section
623     77-40a-401; and
624          (b) notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency identified in the case, based on
625     information available to the court, of the order of expungement.
626          Section 10. Section 77-40a-206 is enacted to read:
627          77-40a-206. Automatic expungement of state records for a case resulting in an
628     acquittal or dismissal with prejudice.
629          (1) A court shall issue an order of expungement, without the filing of a petition, for all
630     records of the case that are held by the court and the bureau if:
631          (a) on and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, the individual submitted
632     a form requesting expungement of a case as described in Section 77-40a-204; and
633          (b) the case is eligible for expungement under this section.
634          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a case is eligible for expungement under this
635     section if:
636          (a) (i) the case resulted in an acquittal on all charges; and
637          (ii) at least 60 days have passed after the day on which the case resulted in an acquittal;
638     or
639          (b) (i) the case is dismissed with prejudice; and
640          (ii) at least 180 days have passed after the day on which:
641          (A) for a case in which no appeal was filed, the entire case against the individual is
642     dismissed with prejudice; or
643          (B) for a case in which an appeal was filed, a court issues a final nonappealable order.
644          (3) A case is not eligible for expungement under Subsection (2) if:
645          (a) the case resulted in an acquittal because the individual is found not guilty by reason

646     of insanity; or
647          (b) the case is dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in
648     abeyance agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b).
649          (4) If a court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (1), the court shall:
650          (a) expunge all records of the case held by the court as described in Section
651     77-40a-401; and
652          (b) notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency identified in the case, based on
653     information available to the court, of the order of expungement.
654          Section 11. Section 77-40a-207 is enacted to read:
655          77-40a-207. Automatic expungement by the bureau.
656          (1) Upon receiving notice from a court of an expungement order under this part, the
657     bureau shall expunge all records of the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
658          (2) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau of
659     Investigation.
660          (3) Except for the court and the bureau, an agency is not required to expunge all
661     records of a case that is automatically expunged under this part.
662          Section 12. Section 77-40a-301 is amended to read:
663          77-40a-301. Application for certificate of eligibility for expungement -- Penalty
664     for false or misleading information on application.
665          (1) If an individual seeks to expunge the individual's criminal record in regard to an
666     arrest, investigation, detention, or conviction, the individual shall:
667          (a) except as provided in Subsection 77-40a-305(3) or (4), apply to the bureau for a
668     certificate of eligibility for expungement of the criminal record and pay the application fee as
669     described in Section 77-40a-304;
670          [(b) if the individual is qualified to receive a certificate of eligibility, pay the issuance
671     fee for the certificate of eligibility as described in Section 77-40a-304; and]
672          (b) except as provided in Subsections 77-40a-304(3) and (7), pay the issuance fee for
673     the certificate of eligibility as described in Section 77-40a-304; and
674          (c) file a petition for expungement in accordance with Section 77-40a-305.
675          (2) (a) An individual who intentionally or knowingly provides any false or misleading
676     information to the bureau when applying for a certificate of eligibility is guilty of a class B

677     misdemeanor and subject to prosecution under Section 76-8-504.6.
678          (b) Regardless of whether the individual is prosecuted, the bureau may deny a
679     certificate of eligibility to anyone who knowingly provides false information on an application.
680          Section 13. Section 77-40a-302 is amended to read:
681          77-40a-302. Requirements for certificate of eligibility to expunge records of
682     arrest, investigation, and detention.
683          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), if a petitioner is arrested or charged with an
684     offense, the petitioner is eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility from the bureau to
685     expunge records of the arrest, investigation, and detention in the case for the offense if:
686          (a) the following time periods have passed:
687          (i) at least 30 days have passed after the day on which the individual is arrested or
688     charged for the offense;
689          (ii) at least three years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted
690     of the traffic offense if there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class C
691     misdemeanor or an infraction; and
692          (iii) at least four years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted
693     of the traffic offense if there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class B
694     misdemeanor; and
695          (b) one of the following occurs:
696          (i) an investigating law enforcement agency and the prosecuting attorney have screened
697     the case and determined that no charges will be filed against the petitioner;
698          (ii) all charges in the case are dismissed with prejudice;
699          (iii) if a charge in the case is dismissed without prejudice or without condition:
700          (A) the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to the issuance of a certificate of
701     eligibility; or
702          (B) at least 180 days have passed after the day on which the charge is dismissed;
703          (iv) the petitioner is acquitted at trial on all of the charges in the case; or
704          (v) the statute of limitations expires on all of the charges in the case[; and].
705          [(c) (i) there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class C
706     misdemeanor or an infraction, at least three years have passed after the day on which the
707     petitioner was convicted of the traffic offense; or]

708          [(ii) there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class B misdemeanor,
709     at least four years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted of the traffic
710     offense.]
711          (2) A petitioner is not eligible for a certificate of eligibility under Subsection (1) if:
712          (a) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
713     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
714          (b) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
715     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense;
716          (c) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
717     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
718     offense; or
719          (d) there is a criminal protective order or a criminal stalking injunction in effect for the
720     case.
721          Section 14. Section 77-40a-303 is amended to read:
722          77-40a-303. Requirements for a certificate of eligibility to expunge records of a
723     conviction.
724          (1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a petitioner is eligible to receive a
725     certificate of eligibility from the bureau to expunge the records of a conviction if:
726          (a) the petitioner has paid in full all fines and interest ordered by the court related to the
727     conviction for which expungement is sought;
728          (b) the petitioner has paid in full all restitution ordered by the court under Section
729     77-38b-205; and
730          (c) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the petitioner was
731     convicted or released from incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever occurred last, for the
732     conviction that the petitioner seeks to expunge:
733          (i) 10 years for the conviction of a misdemeanor under Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
734          (ii) 10 years for the conviction of a felony for operating a motor vehicle with any
735     amount of a controlled substance in an individual's body and causing serious bodily injury or
736     death, as codified before May 4, 2022, Laws of Utah 2021,
737     Chapter 236, Section 1, Subsection 58-37-8(2)(g);
738          (iii) seven years for the conviction of a felony;

739          (iv) five years for the conviction of a drug possession offense that is a felony;
740          (v) five years for the conviction of a class A misdemeanor;
741          (vi) four years for the conviction of a class B misdemeanor; or
742          (vii) three years for the conviction of a class C misdemeanor or infraction.
743          (2) A petitioner is not eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility from the bureau to
744     expunge the records of a conviction under Subsection (1) if:
745          (a) except as provided in Subsection (3), the conviction for which expungement is
746     sought is:
747          (i) a capital felony;
748          (ii) a first degree felony;
749          (iii) a felony conviction of a violent felony as defined in Subsection
750     76-3-203.5(1)(c)(i);
751          (iv) a felony conviction described in Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
752          (v) an offense, or a combination of offenses, that would require the individual to
753     register as a sex offender, as defined in Section 77-41-102; or
754          (vi) a registerable child abuse offense as defined in Subsection 77-43-102(2);
755          (b) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
756     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
757          (c) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
758     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense;
759          (d) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
760     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
761     offense;
762          (e) the petitioner intentionally or knowingly provides false or misleading information
763     on the application for a certificate of eligibility;
764          (f) there is a criminal protective order or a criminal stalking injunction in effect for the
765     case; or
766          (g) the bureau determines that the petitioner's criminal history makes the petitioner
767     ineligible for a certificate of eligibility under Subsection (4) or (5).
768          (3) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to a conviction for a qualifying sexual offense, as
769     defined in Section 76-3-209, if, at the time of the offense, a petitioner who committed the

770     offense was at least 14 years old but under 18 years old, unless the petitioner was convicted by
771     a district court as an adult in accordance with Title 80, Chapter 6, Part 5, Transfer to District
772     Court.
773          (4) Subject to Subsections (6), (7), and (8), a petitioner is not eligible to receive a
774     certificate of eligibility if, at the time the petitioner seeks the certificate of eligibility, the
775     bureau determines that the petitioner's criminal history, including previously expunged
776     convictions, contains any of the following:
777          (a) two or more felony convictions other than for drug possession offenses, each of
778     which is contained in a separate criminal episode;
779          (b) any combination of three or more convictions other than for drug possession
780     offenses that include two class A misdemeanor convictions, each of which is contained in a
781     separate criminal episode;
782          (c) any combination of four or more convictions other than for drug possession
783     offenses that include three class B misdemeanor convictions, each of which is contained in a
784     separate criminal episode; or
785          (d) five or more convictions other than for drug possession offenses of any degree
786     whether misdemeanor or felony, each of which is contained in a separate criminal episode.
787          (5) Subject to Subsections (7) and (8), a petitioner is not eligible to receive a certificate
788     of eligibility if, at the time the petitioner seeks the certificate of eligibility, the bureau
789     determines that the petitioner's criminal history, including previously expunged convictions,
790     contains any of the following:
791          (a) three or more felony convictions for drug possession offenses, each of which is
792     contained in a separate criminal episode; or
793          (b) any combination of five or more convictions for drug possession offenses, each of
794     which is contained in a separate criminal episode.
795          (6) If the petitioner's criminal history contains convictions for both a drug possession
796     offense and a non-drug possession offense arising from the same criminal episode, the bureau
797     shall count that criminal episode as a conviction under Subsection (4) if any non-drug
798     possession offense in that episode:
799          (a) is a felony or class A misdemeanor; or
800          (b) has the same or a longer waiting period under Subsection (1)(c) than any drug

801     possession offense in that episode.
802          (7) Except as provided in Subsection (8), if at least 10 years have passed after the day
803     on which the petitioner was convicted or released from incarceration, parole, or probation,
804     whichever occurred last, for all convictions:
805          (a) each numerical eligibility limit under Subsections (4)(a) and (b) shall be increased
806     by one; and
807          (b) each numerical eligibility limit under Subsections (4)(c) and (d) is not applicable if
808     the highest level of convicted offense in the criminal episode is:
809          (i) a class B misdemeanor;
810          (ii) a class C misdemeanor;
811          (iii) a drug possession offense if none of the non-drug possession offenses in the
812     criminal episode are a felony or a class A misdemeanor; or
813          (iv) an infraction.
814          (8) When determining whether a petitioner is eligible for a certificate of eligibility
815     under Subsection (4), (5), or (7), the bureau may not consider a petitioner's pending case or
816     prior conviction for:
817          (a) an infraction;
818          (b) a traffic offense;
819          (c) a minor regulatory offense; or
820          (d) a clean slate eligible case that was automatically expunged [in accordance with
821     Section 77-40a-201].
822          (9) If the petitioner received a pardon before May 14, 2013, from the Utah Board of
823     Pardons and Parole, the petitioner is entitled to an expungement order for all pardoned crimes
824     in accordance with Section 77-27-5.1.
825          Section 15. Section 77-40a-304 is amended to read:
826          77-40a-304. Certificate of eligibility process -- Issuance of certificate -- Fees.
827          (1) (a) When a petitioner applies for a certificate of eligibility as described in
828     Subsection 77-40a-301(1)[,]:
829          (i) the bureau shall perform a check of records of governmental agencies, including
830     national criminal data bases, to determine whether the petitioner is eligible to receive a
831     certificate of eligibility under this chapter[.]; and

832          (ii) the petitioner shall pay an application fee at the time the petitioner submits an
833     application for a certificate of eligibility to the bureau.
834          (b) For purposes of determining eligibility under this chapter, the bureau may review
835     records of arrest, investigation, detention, and conviction that have been previously expunged,
836     regardless of the jurisdiction in which the expungement occurred.
837          [(c) Once the eligibility process is complete, the bureau shall notify the petitioner.]
838          [(d) If the petitioner meets all of the criteria under Section 77-40a-302 or 77-40a-303:]
839          [(i) the bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility that is valid for a period of 180 days
840     from the day on which the certificate is issued;]
841          [(ii) the bureau shall provide a petitioner with an identification number for the
842     certificate of eligibility; and]
843          [(iii) the petitioner shall pay the issuance fee established by the department as
844     described in Subsection (2).]
845          [(e)] (c) If[, after reasonable research,] a disposition for an arrest on the criminal
846     history file is unobtainable after reasonable research, the bureau may issue a special certificate
847     giving determination of eligibility to the court, except that the bureau may not issue the special
848     certificate if:
849          (i) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
850     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
851          (ii) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
852     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense; or
853          (iii) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
854     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
855     offense.
856          (2) (a) Once the eligibility process is complete, the bureau shall notify the petitioner.
857          (b) If the petitioner meets all of the criteria under Section 77-40a-302 or 77-40a-303
858     and the bureau determines that the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special certificate is
859     appropriate:
860          (i) the bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility or special certificate that is valid for
861     a period of 180 days from the day on which the certificate is issued;
862          (ii) the bureau shall provide a petitioner with an identification number for the

863     certificate of eligibility or special certificate; and
864          (iii) except as provided in Subsection (3), the petitioner shall pay an additional fee for
865     the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special certificate.
866          [(2) (a) The bureau shall charge application and issuance fees for a certificate of
867     eligibility or special certificate in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.]
868          [(b) The application fee shall be paid at the time the petitioner submits an application
869     for a certificate of eligibility to the bureau.]
870          [(c) If the bureau determines that the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special
871     certificate is appropriate, the petitioner will be charged an additional fee for the issuance of a
872     certificate of eligibility or special certificate unless Subsection (2)(d) applies.]
873          [(d) An issuance fee may not be assessed against a petitioner who]
874          (3) The bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility or special certificate without
875     requiring the payment of the issuance fee if the petitioner:
876          (a) qualifies for a certificate of eligibility under Section 77-40a-302 unless the charges
877     were dismissed pursuant to a plea in abeyance agreement under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in
878     Abeyance, or a diversion agreement under Title 77, Chapter 2, Prosecution, Screening, and
879     Diversion[.]; or
880          (b) indicates on the application for a certificate of eligibility that the petitioner
881     reasonably believes, as of the date of the application, that the fee to file a petition for
882     expungement is likely to be waived by a court because the petitioner is indigent.
883          [(e) Funds generated under this Subsection (2) shall be deposited in the General Fund
884     as a dedicated credit by the department to cover the costs incurred in determining eligibility.]
885          [(3)] (4) The bureau shall include on the certificate of eligibility all information that is
886     needed for the court to issue a valid expungement order.
887          [(4)] (5) The bureau shall provide clear written instructions to the petitioner that
888     explain:
889          (a) the process for a petition for expungement; and
890          (b) what is required of the petitioner to complete the process for a petition for
891     expungement.
892          (6) If a petitioner indicates on the application for a certificate of eligibility that a court
893     is likely to waive the fee for a petition for expungement as described in Subsection (3)(b), the

894     bureau shall:
895          (a) inform the petitioner that the petitioner will be required to pay an issuance fee
896     before an agency will expunge the offense if a court does not waive the fee for a petition for
897     expungement; and
898          (b) provide the petitioner with the form for waiving a court fee for a petition for
899     expungement.
900          (7) If the bureau issues a certificate of eligibility or a special certificate without
901     requiring payment of the issuance fee as described in Subsection (3)(b), the bureau shall charge
902     the petitioner the issuance fee upon the bureau's receipt of an order deciding a petition for
903     expungement unless the court communicates to the bureau that the fee to file the petition for
904     expungement was waived because the petitioner is indigent.
905          (8) (a) If the petitioner qualifies for a waiver of the issuance fee under Subsection (7)
906     and the expungement order grants the petition for expungement, the bureau shall process the
907     expungement order in accordance with Section 77-40a-401 as if the petitioner paid the issuance
908     fee.
909          (b) If the petitioner does not qualify for a waiver of the issuance fee under Subsection
910     (7) and the expungement order grants the petition for expungement, the bureau may not process
911     the expungement order as described in Section 77-40a-401, or notify other agencies affected by
912     the expungement order as described in Section 77-40a-307, until the petitioner pays the
913     issuance fee.
914          (c) If the bureau issues a certificate of eligibility or special certificate without requiring
915     payment of the issuance fee under Subsection (3)(b), the bureau may not charge the petitioner
916     an issuance fee on the grounds that the validity of the certificate described in (2)(b)(i) has
917     expired.
918          (9) The bureau shall charge application and issuance fees for a certificate of eligibility
919     or special certificate in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.
920          (10) The department shall deposit funds generated by application and issuance fees
921     under this section into the General Fund as a dedicated credit by the department to cover the
922     costs incurred in determining eligibility for expungement.
923          Section 16. Section 77-40a-305 is amended to read:
924          77-40a-305. Petition for expungement -- Prosecutorial responsibility -- Hearing.

925          (1) (a) The petitioner shall file a petition for expungement, in accordance with the Utah
926     Rules of Criminal Procedure, that includes the identification number for the certificate of
927     eligibility described in Subsection [77-40a-304(1)(d)(ii)] 77-40a-304(2)(b)(ii).
928          (b) Information on a certificate of eligibility is incorporated into a petition by reference
929     to the identification number for the certificate of eligibility.
930          (2) (a) If a petition for expungement is filed under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall
931     obtain a certificate of eligibility from the bureau.
932          (b) A court may not accept a petition for expungement if the certificate of eligibility is
933     no longer valid as described in Subsection [77-40a-304(1)(d)(i)] 77-40a-304(2)(b)(i).
934          (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), the petitioner may file a petition for expungement
935     of a traffic offense case without obtaining a certificate of eligibility if:
936          (a) (i) for a traffic offense case with a class C misdemeanor or infraction, at least three
937     years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted; or
938          (ii) for a traffic offense case with a class B misdemeanor, at least four years have
939     passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted;
940          (b) there is no traffic offense case pending against the petitioner;
941          (c) there is no plea in abeyance for a traffic offense case pending against the petitioner;
942     and
943          (d) the petitioner is not currently on probation for a traffic offense case.
944          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a petitioner may file a petition for expungement of
945     a record for a conviction related to cannabis possession without a certificate of eligibility if the
946     petition demonstrates that:
947          (a) the petitioner had, at the time of the relevant arrest or citation leading to the
948     conviction, a qualifying condition, as that term is defined in Section 26B-4-201; and
949          (b) the possession of cannabis in question was in a form and an amount to medicinally
950     treat the qualifying condition described in Subsection (4)(a).
951          (5) (a) The court shall provide notice of a filing of a petition and certificate of
952     eligibility to the prosecutorial office that handled the court proceedings within three days after
953     the day on which the petitioner's filing fee is paid or waived.
954          (b) If there were no court proceedings, the court shall provide notice of a filing of a
955     petition and certificate of eligibility to the county attorney's office in the jurisdiction where the

956     arrest occurred.
957          (c) If the prosecuting agency with jurisdiction over the arrest, investigation, detention,
958     or conviction, was a city attorney's office, the county attorney's office in the jurisdiction where
959     the arrest occurred shall immediately notify the city attorney's office that the county attorney's
960     office has received a notice of a filing of a petition for expungement.
961          (6) (a) Upon receipt of a notice of a filing of a petition for expungement of a conviction
962     or a charge dismissed in accordance with a plea in abeyance, the prosecuting attorney shall
963     make a reasonable effort to provide notice to any victim of the conviction or charge.
964          (b) The notice under Subsection (6)(a) shall:
965          (i) include a copy of the petition, certificate of eligibility, statutes, and rules applicable
966     to the petition;
967          (ii) state that the victim has a right to object to the expungement; and
968          (iii) provide instructions for registering an objection with the court.
969          (7) (a) The prosecuting attorney may respond to the petition by filing a
970     recommendation or objection with the court within 35 days after the day on which the notice of
971     the filing of the petition is sent by the court to the prosecuting attorney.
972          (b) If there is a victim of the offense for which expungement is sought, the victim may
973     respond to the petition by filing a recommendation or objection with the court within 60 days
974     after the day on which the petition for expungement was filed with the court.
975          (8) (a) The court may request a written response to the petition from the Division of
976     Adult Probation and Parole within the Department of Corrections.
977          (b) If requested, the response prepared by the Division of Adult Probation and Parole
978     shall include:
979          (i) the reasons probation was terminated; and
980          (ii) certification that the petitioner has completed all requirements of sentencing and
981     probation or parole.
982          (c) The Division of Adult Probation and Parole shall provide a copy of the response to
983     the petitioner and the prosecuting attorney.
984          (9) The petitioner may respond in writing to any objections filed by the prosecuting
985     attorney or the victim and the response prepared by the Division of Adult Probation and Parole
986     within 14 days after the day on which the objection or response is received.

987          (10) (a) If the court receives an objection concerning the petition from any party, the
988     court shall set a date for a hearing and notify the petitioner and the prosecuting attorney of the
989     date set for the hearing.
990          (b) The prosecuting attorney shall notify the victim of the date set for the hearing.
991          (c) The petitioner, the prosecuting attorney, the victim, and any other person who has
992     relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the hearing.
993          (d) The court shall review the petition, the certificate of eligibility, and any written
994     responses submitted regarding the petition.
995          (11) If no objection is received within 60 days from the day on which the petition for
996     expungement is filed with the court, the expungement may be granted without a hearing.
997          (12) (a) If the petitioner seeks a waiver of the fee required for a petition for
998     expungement in accordance with Section 78A-2-302, the court shall consider the total number
999     of cases for which the petitioner has received a certificate of eligibility and is seeking
1000     expungement in determining whether the petitioner is indigent under Subsection
1001     78A-2-302(3)(e) even if the court does not have jurisdiction over a case for which the
1002     petitioner is seeking expungement.
1003          (b) If a court grants a waiver of the fee required for a petition for expungement in
1004     accordance with Section 78A-2-302, and only upon a request from the petitioner, a subsequent
1005     court shall grant a waiver of a fee for a petition for expungement if the prior court waived the
1006     fee for a petition for expungement within 180 days before the day on which the petitioner filed
1007     the petition for expungement with the subsequent court.
1008          Section 17. Section 77-40a-306 is amended to read:
1009          77-40a-306. Order of expungement.
1010          (1) If a petition is filed in accordance with Section 77-40a-305, the court shall issue an
1011     order of expungement if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that:
1012          (a) except as provided in Subsection 77-40a-305(3) or (4), the petition and certificate
1013     of eligibility are sufficient;
1014          (b) the statutory requirements have been met;
1015          (c) if the petitioner seeks expungement after a case is dismissed without prejudice or
1016     without condition, the prosecuting attorney provided written consent and has not filed and does
1017     not intend to refile related charges;

1018          (d) if the petitioner seeks expungement without a certificate of eligibility for
1019     expungement under Subsection 77-40a-305(4) for a record of conviction related to cannabis
1020     possession:
1021          (i) the petitioner had, at the time of the relevant arrest or citation leading to the
1022     conviction, a qualifying condition, as that term is defined in Section 26B-4-201; and
1023          (ii) the possession of cannabis in question was in a form and an amount to medicinally
1024     treat the qualifying condition described in Subsection (1)(d)(i);
1025          (e) if an objection is received, the petition for expungement is for a charge dismissed in
1026     accordance with a plea in abeyance agreement, and the charge is an offense eligible to be used
1027     for enhancement, there is good cause for the court to grant the expungement; and
1028          (f) the interests of the public would not be harmed by granting the expungement.
1029          (2) (a) If the court denies a petition described in Subsection (1)(c) because the
1030     prosecuting attorney intends to refile charges, the petitioner may apply again for a certificate of
1031     eligibility if charges are not refiled within 180 days after the day on which the court denies the
1032     petition.
1033          (b) A prosecuting attorney who opposes an expungement of a case dismissed without
1034     prejudice, or without condition, shall have a good faith basis for the intention to refile the case.
1035          (c) A court shall consider the number of times that good faith basis of intention to
1036     refile by the prosecuting attorney is presented to the court in making the court's determination
1037     to grant the petition for expungement described in Subsection (1)(c).
1038          (3) If the court grants a petition described in Subsection (1)(e), the court shall make the
1039     court's findings in a written order.
1040          (4) A court may not expunge a conviction of an offense for which a certificate of
1041     eligibility may not be, or should not have been, issued under Section 77-40a-302 or
1042     77-40a-303.
1043          (5) If a court grants a petition for expungement, the court shall:
1044          (a) expunge all records of the case as described in Section 77-40a-401; and
1045          (b) notify the bureau of the order of expungement.
1046          Section 18. Section 77-40a-307 is enacted to read:
1047          77-40a-307. Distribution of expungement order based on a petition to all agencies.
1048          (1) (a) Upon receiving notice from the court of an expungement order as described in

1049     Subsection 77-40a-306(5), the bureau shall notify all agencies affected by the expungement
1050     order.
1051          (b) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a), the bureau may not notify the Board of Pardons
1052     and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never been:
1053          (i) sentenced to prison in this state; or
1054          (ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.
1055          (c) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau of
1056     Investigation.
1057          (2) A petitioner may deliver copies of the expungement to all agencies affected by the
1058     order of expungement.
1059          (3) If an agency receives an expungement order under this part, the agency shall
1060     expunge all records for the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
1061          Section 19. Section 77-40a-401 is amended to read:
1062     
Part 4. Expungement of Criminal Records

1063          77-40a-401. Processing of expungement order -- Written confirmation of
1064     expungement -- Effect of an expungement.
1065          [(1) (a) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify all criminal
1066     justice agencies affected by the expungement order.]
1067          [(b) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a), the bureau may not notify the Board of Pardons
1068     and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never been:]
1069          [(i) sentenced to prison in this state; or]
1070          [(ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.]
1071          [(c) A petitioner may deliver copies of the expungement to all criminal justice agencies
1072     affected by the order of expungement.]
1073          [(d) An individual, who receives an expungement order under Section 77-27-5.1, shall
1074     pay a processing fee to the bureau, established in accordance with the process in Section
1075     63J-1-504, before the bureau's record may be expunged.]
1076          [(2) Unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court to respond differently, an
1077     individual or agency who has received an expungement of an arrest or conviction under this
1078     chapter or Section 77-27-5.1 may respond to any inquiry as though the arrest or conviction did
1079     not occur.]

1080          [(3) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau
1081     of Investigation.]
1082          [(4) An agency receiving an expungement order shall expunge the individual's
1083     identifying information contained in records in the agency's possession relating to the incident
1084     for which expungement is ordered.]
1085          [(5) Unless ordered by a court to do so, or in accordance with Section 77-40a-403, a
1086     government agency or official may not divulge information or records that have been
1087     expunged.]
1088          (1) In processing an expungement order, a court and the bureau shall give priority to:
1089          (a) first, an expungement order granting a petition for expungement under Part 3,
1090     Petition for Expungement;
1091          (b) second, an expungement order upon a pardon by the Board of Pardons and Parole
1092     as described in Section 77-27-5.1;
1093          (c) third, an expungement order upon a plea in abeyance as described in Section
1094     77-2a-3;
1095          (d) fourth, an expungement order where an individual submitted a form requesting
1096     automatic expungement under Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion; and
1097          (e) fifth, an expungement order where the court identified the case as being eligible for
1098     automatic expungement under Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion.
1099          (2) An individual, who receives an expungement order under Section 77-27-5.1, shall
1100     pay a processing fee to the bureau, established in accordance with the process in Section
1101     63J-1-504, before the bureau's record may be expunged.
1102          (3) An agency shall:
1103          (a) develop and implement a process to identify an expunged record; and
1104          (b) keep, index, and maintain all expunged records of arrests and convictions.
1105          (4) (a) If an individual who receives an expungement requests confirmation from an
1106     agency, the agency shall provide the individual with written confirmation that:
1107          (i) the agency has identified all records subject to expungement; and
1108          (ii) except as otherwise provided by Sections 77-40a-402 and 77-40a-403, the agency
1109     will restrict or deny access to all of the expunged records.
1110          (b) The bureau may charge a fee for providing a written confirmation under Subsection

1111     (4)(a) in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.
1112          (5) Upon entry of an expungement order, an individual, who received the
1113     expungement, may respond to any inquiry as though the conviction did not occur unless
1114     otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court to respond differently.
1115          (6) (a) An expungement order may not restrict an agency's use or dissemination of
1116     records in the agency's ordinary course of business until the agency has received a copy of the
1117     order.
1118          (b) Any action taken by an agency after issuance of the order but prior to the agency's
1119     receipt of a copy of the order may not be invalidated by the order.
1120          (7) An expungement order may not:
1121          (a) terminate or invalidate any pending administrative proceedings or actions of which
1122     the individual had notice according to the records of the administrative body prior to issuance
1123     of the expungement order;
1124          (b) affect the enforcement of any order or findings issued by an administrative body
1125     pursuant to the administrative body's lawful authority prior to issuance of the expungement
1126     order;
1127          (c) remove any evidence relating to the individual including records of arrest, which
1128     the administrative body has used or may use in these proceedings; or
1129          (d) prevent an agency from maintaining, sharing, or distributing any record required by
1130     law.
1131          Section 20. Section 77-40a-402 is amended to read:
1132          77-40a-402. Distribution for order for vacatur.
1133          (1) An individual who receives an order for vacatur under Subsection 78B-9-108(2)
1134     shall be responsible for delivering a copy of the order for vacatur to all affected [criminal
1135     justice agencies and officials] agencies.
1136          (2) To complete delivery of the order for vacatur to the bureau, the individual shall
1137     complete and attach to the order for vacatur an application for a certificate of eligibility for
1138     expungement, including identifying information and fingerprints, in accordance with Section
1139     77-40a-301.
1140          (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the bureau shall treat the order for
1141     vacatur and attached certificate of eligibility for expungement the same as a valid order for

1142     expungement under Section 77-40a-401.
1143          (4) Unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court to respond differently, an
1144     individual who has received a vacatur of conviction under Subsection 78B-9-108(2) may
1145     respond to any inquiry as though the conviction did not occur.
1146          (5) The bureau shall forward a copy of the order for vacatur to the Federal Bureau of
1147     Investigation.
1148          (6) An agency receiving an order for vacatur shall expunge the individual's identifying
1149     information contained in records in the agency's possession relating to the incident for which
1150     vacatur is ordered.
1151          (7) [A government] An agency or official may not divulge information contained in a
1152     record of arrest, investigation, detention, or conviction after receiving an order for vacatur to
1153     any person or agency, except for:
1154          (a) the individual for whom vacatur was ordered; or
1155          (b) Peace Officer Standards and Training, in accordance with Section 53-6-203 and
1156     Subsection [77-40a-403(4)(b)] 77-40a-403(2)(b).
1157          (8) The bureau may not count vacated convictions against any future expungement
1158     eligibility.
1159          Section 21. Section 77-40a-403 is amended to read:
1160          77-40a-403. Release and use of expunged records.
1161          [(1) (a) The bureau, after receiving an expungement order, shall keep, index, and
1162     maintain all expunged records of arrests and convictions.]
1163          [(b) Any agency, other than the bureau, receiving an expungement order shall develop
1164     and implement a process to identify and maintain an expunged record.]
1165          [(2) (a) An agency shall provide an individual who receives an expungement with
1166     written confirmation that the agency has expunged all records of the offense for which the
1167     individual received the expungement if the individual requests confirmation from the agency.]
1168          [(b) The bureau may charge a fee for providing a written confirmation under
1169     Subsection (2)(a) in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.]
1170          [(3)] (1) (a) [An employee of the bureau, or any agency with an expunged record, may
1171     not] An agency with an expunged record, or any employee of an agency with an expunged
1172     record, may not knowingly or intentionally divulge any information contained in the expunged

1173     record to any person, or another agency, without a court order unless:
1174          (i) specifically authorized by statute; or
1175          (ii) subject to Subsection [(3)(b)] (1)(b), the information in an expunged record is
1176     being shared with another agency through a records management system that both agencies use
1177     for the purpose of record management.
1178          (b) An agency with a records management system may not disclose any information in
1179     an expunged record with another agency or person that does not use the records management
1180     system for the purpose of record management.
1181          [(4)] (2) The following entities or agencies may receive information contained in
1182     expunged records upon specific request:
1183          (a) the Board of Pardons and Parole;
1184          (b) Peace Officer Standards and Training;
1185          (c) federal authorities if required by federal law;
1186          (d) the State Board of Education;
1187          (e) the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, for purposes of investigating
1188     applicants for judicial office; and
1189          (f) a research institution or an agency engaged in research regarding the criminal justice
1190     system if:
1191          (i) the research institution or agency provides a legitimate research purpose for
1192     gathering information from the expunged records;
1193          (ii) the research institution or agency enters into a data sharing agreement with the
1194     court or agency with custody of the expunged records that protects the confidentiality of any
1195     identifying information in the expunged records;
1196          (iii) any research using expunged records does not include any individual's name or
1197     identifying information in any product of that research; and
1198          (iv) any product resulting from research using expunged records includes a disclosure
1199     that expunged records were used for research purposes.
1200          [(5)] (3) Except as otherwise provided by this section or by court order, a person, an
1201     agency, or an entity authorized by this section to view expunged records may not reveal or
1202     release any information obtained from the expunged records to anyone outside the specific
1203     request, including distribution on a public website.

1204          [(6)] (4) A prosecuting attorney may communicate with another prosecuting attorney,
1205     or another prosecutorial agency, regarding information in an expunged record that includes a
1206     conviction, or a charge dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
1207     agreement, for:
1208          (a) stalking as described in Section 76-5-106.5;
1209          (b) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1;
1210          (c) an offense that would require the individual to register as a sex offender, as defined
1211     in Section 77-41-102; or
1212          (d) a weapons offense under Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons.
1213          [(7)] (5) Except as provided in Subsection [(9)] (7), a prosecuting attorney may not use
1214     an expunged record for the purpose of a sentencing enhancement or as a basis for charging an
1215     individual with an offense that requires a prior conviction.
1216          [(8)] (6) The bureau may also use the information in the bureau's index as provided in
1217     Section 53-5-704.
1218          [(9)] (7) If[, after obtaining an expungement,] an individual is charged with a felony or
1219     an offense eligible for enhancement based on a prior conviction[, the state] after obtaining an
1220     expungement, the prosecuting attorney may petition the court to open the expunged records
1221     upon a showing of good cause.
1222          [(10)] (8) (a) For judicial sentencing, a court may order any records expunged under
1223     this chapter or Section 77-27-5.1 to be opened and admitted into evidence.
1224          (b) The records are confidential and are available for inspection only by the court,
1225     parties, counsel for the parties, and any other person who is authorized by the court to inspect
1226     them.
1227          (c) At the end of the action or proceeding, the court shall order the records expunged
1228     again.
1229          (d) Any person authorized by this Subsection [(10)] (8) to view expunged records may
1230     not reveal or release any information obtained from the expunged records to anyone outside the
1231     court.
1232          [(11)] (9) Records released under this chapter are classified as protected under Section
1233     63G-2-305 and are accessible only as provided under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Part 2, Access to
1234     Records, and Subsection 53-10-108(2)(k) for records held by the bureau.

1235          Section 22. Section 77-40a-404 is amended to read:
1236          77-40a-404. Confirmation of expungement -- Access to expunged records by
1237     individuals.
1238          (1) An individual who receives an expungement may request a written confirmation
1239     from an agency under Subsection [77-40a-403(2)] 77-40a-401(4) to confirm that the agency
1240     has expunged all records of the offense for which the individual received the expungement.
1241          (2) The following individuals may view or obtain an expunged record under this
1242     chapter or Section 77-27-5.1:
1243          (a) the petitioner or an individual who receives an automatic expungement under
1244     [Section 77-40a-201] Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion;
1245          (b) a law enforcement officer, who was involved in the case, for use solely in the
1246     officer's defense of a civil action arising out of the officer's involvement with the petitioner in
1247     that particular case; and
1248          (c) a party to a civil action arising out of the expunged incident if the information is
1249     kept confidential and utilized only in the action.
1250          Section 23. Section 78A-2-302 is amended to read:
1251          78A-2-302. Waiver of fees, costs, and security -- Indigent litigants -- Affidavit.
1252          (1) As used in Sections 78A-2-302 through 78A-2-309:
1253          (a) "Convicted" means:
1254          (i) a conviction by entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, guilty with a mental
1255     condition, no contest; and
1256          (ii) a conviction of any crime or offense.
1257          (b) "Indigent" means [an individual who is financially unable to pay fees and costs or
1258     give security] a financial status that results from a court finding that a petitioner is financially
1259     unable to pay the fee, a cost, or give security.
1260          (c) "Prisoner" means an individual who has been convicted of a crime and is
1261     incarcerated for that crime or is being held in custody for trial or sentencing.
1262          (2) An individual may institute, prosecute, defend, or appeal any cause in a court in this
1263     state without prepayment of fees and costs or security if:
1264          (a) the individual submits an affidavit demonstrating that the individual is indigent[.];
1265     or

1266          (b) the individual is seeking a waiver of the fee for a petition for expungement and the
1267     individual provides the court with proof that another court granted a waiver for a petition for
1268     expungement as described in Subsection 77-40a-305(12)(b).
1269          (3) A court shall find an individual indigent if the individual's affidavit under
1270     Subsection (2) demonstrates:
1271          (a) if the cause is not a petition for expungement, the individual has an income level at
1272     or below 150% of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recent poverty income
1273     guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;
1274          (b) if the cause is a petition for expungement, the individual has an income level at or
1275     below 175% of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recent poverty income
1276     guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;
1277          [(b)] (c) the individual receives benefits from a means-tested government program,
1278     including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, the
1279     Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Medicaid;
1280          [(c)] (d) the individual receives legal services from a nonprofit provider or a pro bono
1281     attorney through the Utah State Bar; or
1282          [(d)] (e) the individual has insufficient income or other means to pay the necessary fees
1283     and costs or security without depriving the individual, or the individual's family, of food,
1284     shelter, clothing, or other necessities.
1285          (4) An affidavit demonstrating that an individual is indigent under Subsection [(3)(d)]
1286     (3)(e) shall contain complete information on the individual's:
1287          (a) identity and residence;
1288          (b) amount of income, including any government financial support, alimony, or child
1289     support;
1290          (c) assets owned, including real and personal property;
1291          (d) business interests;
1292          (e) accounts receivable;
1293          (f) securities, checking and savings account balances;
1294          (g) debts; and
1295          (h) monthly expenses.
1296          (5) If the individual under Subsection (3) is a prisoner, the prisoner shall disclose the

1297     amount of money held in the prisoner's trust account at the time the affidavit under Subsection
1298     (2) is executed in accordance with Section 78A-2-305.
1299          (6) An affidavit of indigency under this section shall state the following:
1300          I, (insert name), do solemnly swear or affirm that due to my poverty I am unable to bear
1301     the expenses of the action or legal proceedings which I am about to commence or the appeal
1302     which I am about to take, and that I believe I am entitled to the relief sought by the action, legal
1303     proceedings, or appeal.
1304          (7) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall include on a form for an affidavit of
1305     indigency the following warning: "It is a crime for anyone to intentionally or knowingly
1306     provide false or misleading information to the court when seeking a waiver of a court fee."
1307          Section 24. Section 78A-7-209.5 is amended to read:
1308          78A-7-209.5. Presiding judge -- Associate presiding judge -- Election -- Powers --
1309     Duties.
1310          (1) (a) In judicial districts having more than one justice court judge, the justice court
1311     judges shall elect one judge of the district to the office of presiding judge.
1312          (b) The presiding judge shall receive an additional $2,000 per annum as compensation
1313     from the Justice Court Technology, Security, and Training Account described in Section
1314     78A-7-301 for the period served as presiding judge.
1315          (2) (a) In judicial districts having more than two justice court judges, the justice court
1316     judges may elect one judge of the district to the office of associate presiding judge.
1317          (b) The associate presiding judge shall receive an additional $1,000 per annum as
1318     compensation from the Justice Court Technology, Security, and Training Account described in
1319     Section 78A-7-301 for the period served as associate presiding judge.
1320          (3) The presiding judge has the following authority and responsibilities, consistent with
1321     the policies of the Judicial Council:
1322          (a) working with each justice court judge in the district to implement policies and rules
1323     of the Judicial Council;
1324          (b) exercising powers and performing administrative duties as authorized by the
1325     Judicial Council;
1326          (c) if there is no other appointed justice court judge in that court available, assigning a
1327     justice court judge to hear a case in which a judge has been disqualified in accordance with

1328     rules of the Supreme Court;
1329          (d) if a justice court judge of the district cannot perform the justice court judge's duties
1330     in a case or cases due to illness, death, or other incapacity, and the governing body has not
1331     appointed a temporary justice court judge in accordance with Section 78A-7-208:
1332          (i) assigning, on an emergency basis, a justice court judge to hear a case or cases; and
1333          (ii) facilitating judicial coverage with the appointing municipal or county authority
1334     until a temporary justice court judge can be appointed, in accordance with Section 78A-7-208,
1335     or a new justice court judge is formally appointed and takes office, in accordance with Section
1336     78A-7-202; and
1337          (e) entering orders of expungement in cases expunged in accordance with [Section
1338     77-40a-201] Title 77, Chapter 40a, Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion.
1339          (4) (a) When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge shall
1340     assume the responsibilities of the presiding judge.
1341          (b) The associate presiding judge shall perform other duties assigned by the presiding
1342     judge.
1343          Section 25. Section 78B-7-1001 is amended to read:
1344          78B-7-1001. Definitions.
1345          As used in this part:
1346          (1) (a) [Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), "agency"] "Agency" means, except as
1347     provided in Subsection (1)(b), a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
1348     maintains records relating to a civil order for which expungement may be ordered.
1349          (b) "Agency" does not include the Division of Child and Family Services created in
1350     Section 80-2-201.
1351          (2) "Civil order" means:
1352          (a) an ex parte civil protective order;
1353          (b) an ex parte civil stalking injunction;
1354          (c) a civil protective order; or
1355          (d) a civil stalking injunction.
1356          [(3) "Expunge" means to seal or otherwise restrict access to an individual's record held
1357     by an agency when the record includes a civil order.]
1358          (3) (a) "Expunge" means to remove a record from public inspection by:

1359          (i) sealing the record; or
1360          (ii) restricting or denying access to the record.
1361          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a record.
1362          (4) "Petitioner" means an individual petitioning for expungement of a civil order under
1363     this part.
1364          Section 26. Section 78B-7-1004 is amended to read:
1365          78B-7-1004. Distribution and effect of order of expungement -- Penalty.
1366          (1) An individual who receives an order of expungement under Section 78B-7-1003
1367     shall be responsible for delivering a copy of the order of expungement to any affected agency.
1368          [(2) Upon receipt of an order of expungement as described in Subsection (1), an agency
1369     shall expunge all records described in the expungement order that are under the control of the
1370     agency.]
1371          (2) If an agency receives an expungement order as described in Subsection (1), the
1372     agency shall expunge all records affected by the expungement order.
1373          (3) Upon entry of an expungement order by a court under Section 78B-7-1003:
1374          (a) the civil order is considered to never have occurred; and
1375          (b) the petitioner may reply to an inquiry on the matter as though there was never a
1376     civil order.
1377          (4) (a) Unless ordered by a court to do so, an agency or official may not divulge
1378     information or records that have been expunged under this part.
1379          (b) An expungement order may not restrict an agency's use or dissemination of records
1380     in the agency's ordinary course of business until the agency has received a copy of the
1381     expungement order.
1382          (c) Any action taken by an agency after issuance of the expungement order but before
1383     the agency's receipt of a copy of the expungement order may not be invalidated by the order.
1384          (5) An expungement order under this part may not:
1385          (a) terminate or invalidate any pending administrative proceedings or actions of which
1386     the individual had notice according to the records of the administrative body before issuance of
1387     the expungement order;
1388          (b) affect the enforcement of any order or findings issued by an administrative body
1389     pursuant to the administrative body's lawful authority prior to issuance of the expungement

1390     order; or
1391          (c) prevent an agency from maintaining, sharing, or distributing any record required by
1392     law.
1393          (6) An employee or agent of an agency that is prohibited from disseminating
1394     information from an expunged record under this section who knowingly or intentionally
1395     discloses identifying information from the expunged record, unless allowed by law, is guilty of
1396     a class A misdemeanor.
1397          (7) Records expunged under this part may be released to, or viewed by, the following
1398     individuals:
1399          (a) the petitioner; or
1400          (b) parties to a civil action arising out of the expunged civil order, providing the
1401     information is kept confidential and utilized only in the action.
1402          (8) This part does not preclude a court from considering the same circumstances or
1403     evidence for which an expunged civil order was issued in any proceeding that occurs after the
1404     civil order is expunged.
1405          Section 27. Section 80-6-1001 is amended to read:
1406          80-6-1001. Definitions.
1407          As used in this part:
1408          (1) "Abstract" means a copy or summary of a court's disposition.
1409          (2) (a) "Agency" means a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
1410     maintains records for which expungement may be ordered under this part.
1411          (b) "Agency" includes a local education agency, as defined in Section 53E-1-102, for
1412     purposes of this part.
1413          (3) (a) "Expunge" means [to seal or otherwise restrict access to a record that is part of
1414     an individual's juvenile record and in the custody of the juvenile court or an agency] to remove
1415     a juvenile record from public inspection by:
1416          (i) sealing the juvenile record; or
1417          (ii) restricting or denying access to the juvenile record.
1418          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a juvenile record.
1419          (4) (a) "Juvenile record" means all records for all incidents of delinquency involving an
1420     individual that are in the custody of the juvenile court or an agency.

1421          (b) "Juvenile record" does not include a record of an adjudication under Chapter 3,
1422     Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, or Chapter 4, Termination and Restoration of
1423     Parental Rights.
1424          (5) "Petitioner" means an individual requesting an expungement or vacatur under this
1425     part.
1426          Section 28. Section 80-6-1006.1 is amended to read:
1427          80-6-1006.1. Exceptions to expungement order -- Distribution of expungement
1428     order -- Agency duties -- Effect of expungement -- Access to expunged record.
1429          (1) This section applies to an expungement order under Section 80-6-1004.1,
1430     80-6-1004.2, 80-6-1004.3, 80-6-1004.4, or 80-6-1004.5.
1431          (2) The juvenile court may not order:
1432          (a) the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of Corrections to seal a record
1433     in the possession of the Board of Pardons and Parole or the Department of Corrections, except
1434     that the juvenile court may order the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of
1435     Corrections to restrict access to a record if the record is specifically identified in the
1436     expungement order as a record in the possession of the Board of Pardons and Parole or the
1437     Department of Corrections; or
1438          (b) the Division of Child and Family Services to expunge a record in an individual's
1439     juvenile record that is contained in the Management Information System or the Licensing
1440     Information System unless:
1441          (i) the record is unsupported; or
1442          (ii) after notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Division of Child and Family
1443     Services stipulates in writing to expunging the record.
1444          (3) (a) If the juvenile court issues an expungement order, the juvenile court shall send a
1445     copy of the expungement order to any affected agency or official identified in the juvenile
1446     record.
1447          (b) An individual who is the subject of an expungement order may deliver copies of the
1448     expungement order to all agencies and officials affected by the expungement order.
1449          (4) (a) Upon receipt of an expungement order, an agency shall:
1450          (i) [to avoid destruction or expungement of records in whole or in part, expunge only
1451     the references to the individual's name in the records relating to the individual's adjudication,

1452     nonjudicial adjustment, petition, arrest, investigation, or detention for which expungement is
1453     ordered] expunge all records affected by the expungement order; and
1454          (ii) destroy all photographs and records created under Section 80-6-608, except that a
1455     record of a minor's fingerprints may not be destroyed by an agency.
1456          (b) An agency that receives a copy of an expungement order shall mail an affidavit to
1457     the individual who is the subject of the expungement order, or the individual's attorney, that the
1458     agency has complied with the expungement order.
1459          (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4), the Board of Pardons and Parole and the
1460     Department of Corrections:
1461          (a) may not disclose records expunged in an expungement order unless required by
1462     law;
1463          (b) are not required to destroy any photograph or record created under Section
1464     80-6-608;
1465          (c) may use an expunged record for purposes related to incarceration and supervision
1466     of an individual under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole, including for the
1467     purpose of making decisions about:
1468          (i) the treatment and programming of the individual;
1469          (ii) housing of the individual;
1470          (iii) applicable guidelines regarding the individual; or
1471          (iv) supervision conditions for the individual;
1472          (d) are not prohibited from disclosing or sharing any information in an expunged
1473     record with another agency that uses the same record management system as the Board of
1474     Pardons and Parole or the Department of Corrections; and
1475          (e) are not required to mail an affidavit under Subsection (4)(b).
1476          (6) Upon entry of an expungement order:
1477          (a) an adjudication, a nonjudicial adjustment, a petition, an arrest, an investigation, or a
1478     detention for which the record is expunged is considered to have never occurred; and
1479          (b) the individual, who is the subject of the expungement order, may reply to an inquiry
1480     on the matter as though there never was an adjudication, a nonjudicial adjustment, a petition,
1481     an arrest, an investigation, or a detention.
1482          (7) A record expunged under Section 80-6-1004.1, 80-6-1004.2, 80-6-1004.3,

1483     80-6-1004.4, or 80-6-1004.5 may be released to, or viewed by, the individual who is the subject
1484     of the record.
1485          Section 29. Repealer.
1486          This bill repeals:
1487          Section 77-40a-203, Time periods for expungement or deletion -- Identification and
1488     processing of clean slate eligible cases.
1489          Section 30. Effective date.
1490          This bill takes effect on October 1, 2024.