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          ▸     creates a sunset date for an expungement working group;
16          ▸     creates an expungement working group to study issues related to automatic
17     expungement;
18          ▸     allows a court to issue an order of expungement for a plea in abeyance when the
19     defendant has completed a problem solving court program and the court dismisses
20     the case against the defendant;
21          ▸     defines terms related to expungement;
22          ▸     clarifies automatic deletion of a traffic offense;
23          ▸     amends provisions related to the automatic expungement of a case, including:
24               •     requiring an individual to submit a form to receive an automatic expungement
25     on and after October 1, 2024, and before October 1, 2027;

26               •     providing that a court automatically expunge cases that are eligible for
27     expungement on and after October 1, 2027;
28               •     for an individual seeking an automatic expungement on and after January 1,
29     2025, prohibiting an automatic expungement if the individual is incarcerated in
30     the state prison or on probation or parole that is supervised by the Department of
31     Corrections; and
32               •     prohibiting an automatic expungement if there is a criminal proceeding pending
33     in this state against the individual for a misdemeanor or felony offense, unless
34     the proceeding is for a traffic offense;
35          ▸     provides that the court and Bureau of Criminal Identification are the only agencies
36     that expunge records affected by an automatic expungement order;
37          ▸     clarifies the certificate of eligibility process;
38          ▸     allows for the waiver of an issuance fee for a certificate of eligibility or a special
39     certificate if a court finds that the individual filing the petition for expungement is
40     indigent;
41          ▸     requires a court to consider the total number of cases for which an individual has
42     received a certificate of expungement when determining whether the individual is
43     indigent;
44          ▸     requires a subsequent court to waive a filing fee for a petition for expungement if a
45     prior court found the individual to be indigent within 180 days before the filing of
46     the petition for expungement;
47          ▸     clarifies the distribution of an expungement order based on a petition and the
48     expungement of records affected by an expungement order based on a petition;
49          ▸     establishes the priority of expungement orders that are processed by a court and the
50     Bureau of Criminal Identification;
51          ▸     requires an agency to develop and implement a process to identify expunged records
52     and keep, index, and maintain all expunged records of arrest;
53          ▸     clarifies the effect of an expungement;
54          ▸     addresses the waiver of a fee for a petition for expungement when the individual has
55     previously received a waiver for a petition for expungement from a prior court;
56          ▸     requires a court to find an individual indigent if the individual submits an affidavit

57     of indigency demonstrating that the individual has an income at or below 175% of the United
58     States poverty level;
59          ▸     requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to include a warning on an affidavit
60     of indigency;
61          ▸     clarifies the expungement of records regarding protective orders, stalking
62     injunctions, and juvenile records;
63          ▸     repeals a statute regarding the time periods for expungement or deletion and
64     identifying and processing clean slate eligible cases; and
65          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
66     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
67          None
68     Other Special Clauses:
69          This bill provides a special effective date.
70     Utah Code Sections Affected:
71     AMENDS:
72          63I-1-277, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 384 and last amended by
73     Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 384
74          63I-1-278, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 188, 318, 384, and 423
75          63I-2-263, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 33, 139, 212, 354, and 530
76          77-2a-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 113, 415
77          77-40a-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
78          77-40a-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
79          77-40a-201, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
80          77-40a-202, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
81          77-40a-301, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
82          77-40a-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
83          77-40a-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
84          77-40a-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
85          77-40a-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 265, 330
86          77-40a-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 330
87          77-40a-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265

88          77-40a-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
89          77-40a-403, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
90          77-40a-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 265
91          78A-2-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 184
92          78A-7-209.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 276
93          78B-7-1001, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 270
94          78B-7-1004, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 270
95          80-6-1001, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 115
96          80-6-1006.1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 115
97     ENACTS:
98          63M-7-221, Utah Code Annotated 1953
99          77-40a-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
100          77-40a-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
101          77-40a-206, Utah Code Annotated 1953
102          77-40a-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953
103          77-40a-307, Utah Code Annotated 1953
104     REPEALS:
105          77-40a-203, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 250
106     

107     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
108          Section 1. Section 63I-1-277 is amended to read:
109          63I-1-277. Repeal dates: Title 77.
110          [Subsection 77-40a-304(5), regarding the suspension of issuance fees for certificates of
111     eligibility, is repealed on July 1, 2023.] Reserved.
112          Section 2. Section 63I-1-278 is amended to read:
113          63I-1-278. Repeal dates: Title 78A and Title 78B.
114          [(1) Subsections 78A-2-301(4) and 78A-2-301.5(12), regarding the suspension of filing
115     fees for petitions for expungement, are repealed on July 1, 2023.]
116          [(2)] (1) Section 78B-3-421, regarding medical malpractice arbitration agreements, is
117     repealed July 1, 2029.
118          [(3)] (2) Subsection 78A-7-106(6), regarding the transfer of a criminal action involving

119     a domestic violence offense from the justice court to the district court, is repealed on July 1,
120     2024.
121          [(4)] (3) Section 78B-4-518, regarding the limitation on employer liability for an
122     employee convicted of an offense, is repealed on July 1, 2025.
123          [(5)] (4) Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 2, Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, is repealed
124     July 1, 2026.
125          [(6)] (5) Title 78B, Chapter 12, Part 4, Advisory Committee, which creates the Child
126     Support Guidelines Advisory Committee, is repealed July 1, 2026.
127          [(7)] (6) Section 78B-22-805, regarding the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation
128     Pilot Program, is repealed December 31, 2024.
129          Section 3. Section 63I-2-263 is amended to read:
130          63I-2-263. Repeal dates: Title 63A to Title 63N.
131          (1) Title 63A, Chapter 2, Part 5, Educational Interpretation and Translation Services
132     Procurement Advisory Council is repealed July 1, 2025.
133          (2) Section 63A-17-303 is repealed July 1, 2023.
134          (3) Section 63A-17-806 is repealed June 30, 2026.
135          (4) Title 63C, Chapter 22, Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology
136     Commission is repealed July 1, 2023.
137          (5) Section 63H-7a-303 is repealed July 1, 2024.
138          (6) Subsection 63H-7a-403(2)(b), regarding the charge to maintain the public safety
139     communications network, is repealed July 1, 2033.
140          (7) Subsection 63J-1-602.2(45), which lists appropriations to the State Tax
141     Commission for property tax deferral reimbursements, is repealed July 1, 2027.
142          (8) Section 63M-7-221, establishing an expungement working group, is repealed on
143     April 30, 2025.
144          [(8)] (9) Subsection 63N-2-213(12)(a), relating to claiming a tax credit in the same
145     taxable year as the targeted business income tax credit, is repealed December 31, 2024.
146          [(9)] (10) Title 63N, Chapter 2, Part 3, Targeted Business Income Tax Credit in an
147     Enterprise Zone, is repealed December 31, 2024.
148          Section 4. Section 63M-7-221 is enacted to read:
149          63M-7-221. Expungement working group.

150          (1) As used in this section:
151          (a) "Agency" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-40a-101.
152          (b) "Automatic expungement" means the same as that term is defined in Section
153     77-40a-101.
154          (2) The commission shall establish a working group to:
155          (a) study the challenges of implementing automatic expungement under Title 77,
156     Chapter 40a, Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion;
157          (b) determine the time and resources that an agency would need to implement
158     automatic expungement under Title 77, Chapter 40a, Automatic Expungement and Deletion;
159          (c) determine whether an investment in technology is needed or could be helpful in
160     implementing automatic expungement under Chapter 40a, Automatic Expungement and
161     Deletion; and
162          (d) consider possible statutory changes to improve the implementation of automatic
163     expungement under Chapter 40a, Automatic Expungement and Deletion.
164          (3) The working group described in Subsection (2) shall consist of:
165          (a) at least one representative of:
166          (i) the Bureau of Criminal Identification established in Section 53-10-201;
167          (ii) the Administrative Office of the Courts;
168          (iii) a local law enforcement agency; and
169          (iv) an advocacy group that represents or assists individuals with expungement; and
170          (b) any other individual or organization recommended by the executive director of the
171     commission.
172          (4) On or before November 1, 2024, the commission shall provide a written report to
173     the Judiciary Interim Committee describing:
174          (a) the information gathered by the working group under Subsection (2); and
175          (b) any recommendations for statutory changes with respect to the information
176     gathered by the working group under Subsection (2).
177          Section 5. Section 77-2a-3 is amended to read:
178          77-2a-3. Manner of entry of plea -- Powers of court -- Expungement.
179          (1) (a) Acceptance of any plea in anticipation of a plea in abeyance agreement shall be
180     done in full compliance with the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 11.

181          (b) In cases charging offenses for which bail may be forfeited, a plea in abeyance
182     agreement may be entered into without a personal appearance before a magistrate.
183          (2) A plea in abeyance agreement may provide that the court may, upon finding that the
184     defendant has successfully completed the terms of the agreement:
185          (a) reduce the degree of the offense [and enter judgment of conviction and impose
186     sentence for a lower degree of offense; or], enter a judgment of conviction for the lower degree
187     of the offense, and impose a sentence for the lower degree of the offense;
188          (b) allow withdrawal of the defendant's plea and order the dismissal of the case[.]; or
189          (c) issue an order of expungement for all records of the offense if:
190          (i) the defendant successfully completes a problem solving court program that is
191     certified by the Judicial Council; and
192          (ii) the court allows the withdrawal of the defendant's plea and orders the dismissal of
193     the case.
194          (3) (a) Upon finding that a defendant has successfully completed the terms of a plea in
195     abeyance agreement and only as provided in the plea in abeyance agreement or as agreed to by
196     all parties, the court may [reduce the degree of the offense or dismiss the case only as provided
197     in the plea in abeyance agreement or as agreed to by all parties.]:
198          (i) reduce the degree of the offense, enter a judgment of conviction for the lower degree
199     of the offense, and impose a sentence for the lower degree of the offense;
200          (ii) allow withdrawal of the defendant's plea and order the dismissal of the case; or
201          (iii) issue an order of expungement for all records of the offense if:
202          (A) the defendant successfully completes a problem solving court program that is
203     certified by the Judicial Council; and
204          (B) the court allows the withdrawal of the defendant's plea and orders the dismissal of
205     the case.
206          (b) Upon sentencing a defendant for any lesser offense in accordance with a plea in
207     abeyance agreement, the court may not invoke Section 76-3-402 to further reduce the degree of
208     the offense.
209          (4) The court may require the Department of Corrections to assist in the administration
210     of the plea in abeyance agreement as if the defendant were on probation to the court under
211     Section 77-18-105.

212          (5) The terms of a plea in abeyance agreement may include:
213          (a) an order that the defendant pay a nonrefundable plea in abeyance fee, with a
214     surcharge based on the amount of the plea in abeyance fee, both of which shall be allocated in
215     the same manner as if paid as a fine for a criminal conviction under Section 78A-5-110 and a
216     surcharge under Title 51, Chapter 9, Part 4, Criminal Conviction Surcharge Allocation, and
217     which may not exceed in amount the maximum fine and surcharge which could have been
218     imposed upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense;
219          (b) an order that the defendant pay the costs of any remedial or rehabilitative program
220     required by the terms of the agreement; and
221          (c) an order that the defendant comply with any other conditions that could have been
222     imposed as conditions of probation upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense.
223          (6) (a) The terms of a plea in abeyance shall include:
224          (i) a specific amount of restitution that the defendant will pay, as agreed to by the
225     defendant and the prosecuting attorney;
226          (ii) a certification from the prosecuting attorney that:
227          (A) the prosecuting attorney has consulted with all victims, including the Utah Office
228     for Victims of Crime; and
229          (B) all victims, including the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, are not seeking
230     restitution; or
231          (iii) an agreement between the parties that restitution will be determined by the court at
232     a subsequent hearing in accordance with Section 77-38b-205.
233          (b) At a subsequent hearing described in Subsection (6)(a)(iii), the court shall order the
234     defendant, as a modified term of the plea in abeyance, to pay restitution to all victims for the
235     entire amount of pecuniary damages that are proximately caused by the criminal conduct of the
236     defendant.
237          (c) The court shall collect, receive, process, and distribute payments for restitution to
238     the victim, unless otherwise provided by law or by the plea in abeyance agreement.
239          (d) If the defendant does not successfully complete the terms of the plea in abeyance,
240     the court shall enter an order for restitution, in accordance with Chapter 38b, Crime Victims
241     Restitution Act, upon entering a sentence for the defendant.
242          (7) (a) A court may not hold a plea in abeyance without the consent of both the

243     prosecuting attorney and the defendant.
244          (b) A decision by a prosecuting attorney not to agree to a plea in abeyance is final.
245          (8) No plea may be held in abeyance in any case involving:
246          (a) a sexual offense against an individual who is under 14 years old; or
247          (b) a driving under the influence violation under Section 41-6a-502, 41-6a-502.5,
248     41-6a-517, 41-6a-520, 41-6a-520.1, 41-6a-521.1, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207.
249          (9) (a) If the terms of a plea in abeyance agreement allow a court to issue an order of
250     expungement as described in Subsection (2)(c), the prosecuting attorney shall make a
251     reasonable effort to provide notice to any victim of the offense of the terms of the plea in
252     abeyance agreement.
253          (b) The notice under Subsection (9)(a) shall:
254          (i) state that the victim has a right to object to the expungement; and
255          (ii) provide instructions for registering an objection with the court.
256          (c) If there is a victim of the offense, the victim may file an objection with the court
257     before the court makes a finding as to whether the defendant successfully completed the terms
258     of the plea in abeyance agreement as described in Subsection (3).
259          (d) The defendant may respond, in writing, to any objection filed by the victim within
260     14 days after the day on which the objection is received by the court.
261          (10) If the court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (3)(a)(iii), the court
262     shall:
263          (a) expunge all records of the case as described in Section 77-40a-401; and
264          (b) notify the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the order of expungement.
265          (11) (a) Upon receiving notice from the court of an expungement order as described in
266     Subsection (10), the Bureau of Criminal Identification shall notify any agency, as defined in
267     Section 77-40a-101, affected by the expungement order.
268          (b) For purposes of Subsection (11)(a), the Bureau of Criminal Identification may not
269     notify the Board of Pardons and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never
270     been:
271          (i) sentenced to prison in this state; or
272          (ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.
273          (c) The Bureau of Criminal Identification shall forward a copy of the expungement

274     order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
275          (12) The defendant may deliver copies of the expungement to any agency, as defined in
276     Section 77-40a-101, affected by the order of expungement.
277          (13) If an agency receives an expungement order under this part, the agency shall
278     expunge all records for the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
279          Section 6. Section 77-40a-101 is amended to read:
280          77-40a-101. Definitions.
281          As used in this chapter:
282          (1) "Agency" means a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
283     maintains records relating to an investigation, arrest, detention, or conviction for an offense for
284     which expungement may be ordered.
285          (2) "Automatic expungement" means the expungement of records of an investigation,
286     arrest, detention, or conviction of an offense without the filing of a petition.
287          [(2)] (3) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the Department of
288     Public Safety established in Section 53-10-201.
289          (4) "Civil accounts receivable" means the same as that term is defined in Section
290     77-32b-102.
291          (5) "Civil judgment of restitution" means the same as that term is defined in Section
292     77-32b-102.
293          [(3)] (6) "Certificate of eligibility" means a document issued by the bureau stating that
294     the criminal record and all records of arrest, investigation, and detention associated with a case
295     that is the subject of a petition for expungement is eligible for expungement.
296          [(4) (a) "Clean slate eligible case" means, except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), a
297     case:]
298          [(i) where each conviction within the case is:]
299          [(A) a misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
300     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);]
301          [(B) a class B or class C misdemeanor conviction; or]
302          [(C) an infraction conviction;]
303          [(ii) that involves an individual:]
304          [(A) whose total number of convictions in Utah state courts, not including infractions,

305     traffic offenses, or minor regulatory offenses, does not exceed the limits described in
306     Subsections 77-40a-303(4) and (5) without taking into consideration the exception in
307     Subsection 77-40a-303(7); and]
308          [(B) against whom no criminal proceedings are pending in the state; and]
309          [(iii) for which the following time periods have elapsed from the day on which the case
310     is adjudicated:]
311          [(A) at least five years for a class C misdemeanor or an infraction;]
312          [(B) at least six years for a class B misdemeanor; and]
313          [(C) at least seven years for a class A conviction for possession of a controlled
314     substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).]
315          [(b) "Clean slate eligible case" includes a case:]
316          [(i) that is dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
317     agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b) if:]
318          [(A) except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), each charge within the case is a
319     misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection
320     58-37-8(2)(a)(i), a class B or class C misdemeanor, or an infraction;]
321          [(B) the individual involved meets the requirements of Subsection (4)(a)(ii); and]
322          [(C) the time periods described in Subsections (4)(a)(iii)(A) through (C) have elapsed
323     from the day on which the case is dismissed; or]
324          [(ii) where charges are dismissed without prejudice if each conviction, or charge that
325     was dismissed, in the case would otherwise meet the requirements under Subsection (4)(a) or
326     (b)(i).]
327          [(c) "Clean slate eligible case" does not include a case:]
328          [(i) where the individual is found not guilty by reason of insanity;]
329          [(ii) where the case establishes a criminal accounts receivable, as defined in Section
330     77-32b-102, that:]
331          [(A) has been entered as a civil accounts receivable or a civil judgment of restitution,
332     as those terms are defined in Section 77-32b-102, and transferred to the Office of State Debt
333     Collection under Section 77-18-114; or]
334          [(B) has not been satisfied according to court records; or]
335          [(iii) that resulted in one or more pleas held in abeyance or convictions for the

336     following offenses:]
337          [(A) any of the offenses listed in Subsection 77-40a-303(2)(a);]
338          [(B) an offense against the person in violation of Title 76, Chapter 5, Offenses Against
339     the Individual;]
340          [(C) a weapons offense in violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons;]
341          [(D) sexual battery in violation of Section 76-9-702.1;]
342          [(E) an act of lewdness in violation of Section 76-9-702 or 76-9-702.5;]
343          [(F) an offense in violation of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence
344     and Reckless Driving;]
345          [(G) damage to or interruption of a communication device in violation of Section
346     76-6-108;]
347          [(H) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1; or]
348          [(I) any other offense classified in the Utah Code as a felony or a class A misdemeanor
349     other than a class A misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in
350     violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).]
351          (7) "Clean slate eligible case" means a case that is eligible for automatic expungement
352     under Section 77-40a-205.
353          [(5)] (8) "Conviction" means judgment by a criminal court on a verdict or finding of
354     guilty after trial, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere.
355          (9) "Court" means a district court or a justice court.
356          (10) "Criminal accounts receivable" means the same as that term is defined in Section
357     77-32b-102.
358          [(6)] (11) "Criminal protective order" means the same as that term is defined in Section
359     78B-7-102.
360          [(7)] (12) "Criminal stalking injunction" means the same as that term is defined in
361     Section 78B-7-102.
362          [(8)] (13) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety established in Section
363     53-1-103.
364          [(9)] (14) "Drug possession offense" means [an offense under]:
365          (a) an offense described in Subsection 58-37-8(2), except for:
366          (i) [any] an offense under Subsection 58-37-8(2)(b)(i), possession of 100 pounds or

367     more of marijuana;
368          (ii) [any] an offense enhanced under Subsection 58-37-8(2)(e), violation in a
369     correctional facility; or
370          (iii) an offense for driving with a controlled substance illegally in the person's body and
371     negligently causing serious bodily injury or death of another, as codified before May 4, 2022,
372     Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 236, Section 1, Subsection 58-37-8(2)(g);
373          (b) an offense described in Subsection 58-37a-5(1), use or possession of drug
374     paraphernalia;
375          (c) an offense described in Section 58-37b-6, possession or use of an imitation
376     controlled substance; or
377          (d) any local ordinance which is substantially similar to any of the offenses described
378     in this Subsection [(9)] (13).
379          [(10)] (15) (a) "Expunge" means to [seal or otherwise restrict access to the individual's
380     record held by an agency when the record includes a criminal investigation, detention, arrest, or
381     conviction.] remove a record from public inspection by:
382          (i) sealing the record; or
383          (ii) restricting or denying access to the record.
384          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a record.
385          (16) "Indigent" means a financial status that results from a court finding that a
386     petitioner is financially unable to pay the fee to file a petition for expungement under Section
387     78A-2-302.
388          [(11)] (17) "Jurisdiction" means a state, district, province, political subdivision,
389     territory, or possession of the United States or any foreign country.
390          [(12)] (18) (a) "Minor regulatory offense" means, except as provided in Subsection
391     [(12)(c)] (17)(c), a class B or C misdemeanor offense or a local ordinance.
392          (b) "Minor regulatory offense" includes an offense under Section 76-9-701 or
393     76-10-105.
394          (c) "Minor regulatory offense" does not include:
395          (i) any drug possession offense;
396          (ii) an offense under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and
397     Reckless Driving;

398          (iii) an offense under Sections 73-18-13 through 73-18-13.6;
399          (iv) except as provided in Subsection [(12)(b)] (17)(b), an offense under Title 76, Utah
400     Criminal Code; or
401          (v) any local ordinance that is substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsections
402     [(12)(c)(i)] (17)(c)(i) through (iv).
403          [(13)] (19) "Petitioner" means an individual applying for expungement under this
404     chapter.
405          [(14)] (20) "Plea in abeyance" means the same as that term is defined in Section
406     77-2a-1.
407          (21) "Record" means a book, letter, document, paper, map, plan, photograph, film,
408     card, tape, recording, electronic data, or other documentary material, regardless of physical
409     form or characteristics, that:
410          (a) is contained in the agency's file regarding the arrest, detention, investigation,
411     conviction, sentence, incarceration, probation, or parole of an individual; and
412          (b) is prepared, owned, received, or retained by an agency, including a court.
413          [(15)] (22) (a) "Traffic offense" means, except as provided in Subsection [(15)(b)]
414     (21)(b):
415          (i) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
416     under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code;
417          (ii) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
418     under Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 2, Driver Licensing Act;
419          (iii) an infraction, a class B misdemeanor offense, or a class C misdemeanor offense
420     under Title 73, Chapter 18, State Boating Act; and
421          (iv) all local ordinances that are substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsections
422     [(15)(a)(i)] (21)(a)(i) through (iii).
423          (b) "Traffic offense" does not mean:
424          (i) an offense under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and
425     Reckless Driving;
426          (ii) an offense under Sections 73-18-13 through 73-18-13.6; or
427          (iii) any local ordinance that is substantially similar to an offense listed in Subsection
428     [(15)(b)(i)] (21)(b)(i) or (ii).

429          [(16)] (23) "Traffic offense case" means that each offense in the case is a traffic
430     offense.
431          Section 7. Section 77-40a-104 is amended to read:
432          77-40a-104. Department rulemaking authority.
433          In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
434     department may make rules to:
435          (1) implement procedures for processing an automatic expungement;
436          (2) implement procedures for applying for certificates of eligibility;
437          (3) specify procedures for receiving a certificate of eligibility;
438          (4) create forms and determine information necessary to be provided to the bureau; and
439          (5) implement procedures for the confirmation of an expungement under Subsection
440     [77-40a-403(2)] 77-40a-401(4).
441          Section 8. Section 77-40a-201 is amended to read:
442     
Part 2. Automatic Expungement and Deletion

443          77-40a-201. General provisions for automatic expungement and deletion.
444          [(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) and subject to Section 77-40a-203, this
445     section governs the process for the automatic expungement of all records in:]
446          [(i) except as provided in Subsection (2)(e), a case that resulted in an acquittal on all
447     charges;]
448          [(ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(e), a case that is dismissed with prejudice; or]
449          [(iii) a case that is a clean slate eligible case.]
450          [(b) This section does not govern automatic expungement of a traffic offense.]
451          [(2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(e), the process for automatic
452     expungement of records for a case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges is as described in
453     Subsections (2)(b) through (d).]
454          [(b) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
455     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
456          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
457          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
458     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
459          [(c) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement

460     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
461          [(d) For a case resulting in an acquittal on all charges on or before May 1, 2020, that is
462     automatically expunged under this Subsection (2), a law enforcement agency shall expunge
463     records for the case within one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency
464     receives notice from the bureau.]
465          [(e) For purposes of this section, a case that resulted in acquittal on all charges does not
466     include a case that resulted in an acquittal because the individual is found not guilty by reason
467     of insanity.]
468          [(3) (a) The process for an automatic expungement of a case that is dismissed with
469     prejudice is as described in Subsections (3)(b) through (d).]
470          [(b) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
471     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
472          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
473          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
474     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
475          [(c) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement
476     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
477          [(d) For a case dismissed on or before May 1, 2020, that is automatically expunged
478     under this Subsection (3), a law enforcement agency shall expunge records for the case within
479     one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency receives notice from the bureau.]
480          [(e) For purposes of this Subsection (3), a case that is dismissed with prejudice does
481     not include a case that is dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea
482     in abeyance agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b).]
483          [(4) (a) The process for the automatic expungement of a clean slate eligible case is as
484     described in Subsections (4)(b) through (g) and in accordance with any rules made by the
485     Judicial Council or the Supreme Court.]
486          [(b) A prosecuting agency, that has complied with Rule 42 of the Utah Rules of
487     Criminal Procedure, shall receive notice on a monthly basis for any case prosecuted by that
488     agency that appears to be a clean slate eligible case.]
489          [(c) Within 35 days of the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4)(b) is
490     sent, the prosecuting agency shall provide written notice in accordance with any rules made by

491     the Judicial Council or the Supreme Court if the prosecuting agency objects to an automatic
492     expungement for any of the following reasons:]
493          [(i) after reviewing the agency record, the prosecuting agency believes that the case
494     does not meet the definition of a clean slate eligible case;]
495          [(ii) the individual has not paid court-ordered restitution to the victim; or]
496          [(iii) the prosecuting agency has a reasonable belief, grounded in supporting facts, that
497     an individual with a clean slate eligible case is continuing to engage in criminal activity within
498     or outside of the state.]
499          [(d) (i) If a prosecuting agency provides written notice of an objection for a reason
500     described in Subsection (4)(c) within 35 days of the day on which the notice described in
501     Subsection (4)(b) is sent, the court may not proceed with automatic expungement.]
502          [(ii) If 35 days pass from the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4)(b) is
503     sent without the prosecuting agency providing written notice of an objection for a reason
504     described in Subsection (4)(c), the court may proceed with automatic expungement.]
505          [(e) If a court determines that the requirements for automatic expungement have been
506     met, a district court or justice court shall:]
507          [(i) issue, without a petition, an expungement order; and]
508          [(ii) based on information available, notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency
509     identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
510          [(f) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify the law enforcement
511     agencies identified in the case of the order of expungement.]
512          [(g) For a clean slate case adjudicated or dismissed on or before May 1, 2020, that is
513     automatically expunged under this Subsection (4), a law enforcement agency shall expunge
514     records for the case within one year after the day on which the law enforcement agency
515     receives notice from the bureau.]
516          [(5)] (1) Nothing in this section precludes an individual from filing a petition for
517     expungement of records that are eligible for automatic expungement or deletion under this
518     section if an automatic expungement or deletion has not occurred pursuant to this section.
519          [(6)] (2) An automatic expungement performed under this [section] part does not
520     preclude a person from requesting access to expunged records in accordance with Section
521     77-40a-403 or 77-40a-404.

522          [(7)] (3) (a) The Judicial Council and the Supreme Court shall make rules to govern the
523     process for automatic expungement.
524          (b) The rules under Subsection [(7)(a)] (3)(a) may authorize:
525          (i) a presiding judge of a district court to issue an expungement order for any case
526     when the requirements for automatic expungement are met; and
527          (ii) a presiding judge of a justice court to issue an expungement order for any justice
528     court case within the presiding judge's judicial district when the requirements for automatic
529     expungement are met.
530          (4) An individual does not have a cause of action for damages as a result of the failure
531     to:
532          (a) identify an individual's case as eligible for automatic expungement or deletion
533     under this part; or
534          (b) automatically expunge or delete the records of a case that is eligible under this part.
535          Section 9. Section 77-40a-202 is amended to read:
536          77-40a-202. Automatic deletion for traffic offense by a court.
537          (1) [Subject to Section 77-40a-203,] A court shall delete all records for the following
538     traffic offenses [shall be deleted] without a court order or notice to the prosecuting agency:
539          (a) a traffic offense case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges;
540          (b) a traffic offense case that is dismissed with prejudice, except for a case that is
541     dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in abeyance agreement
542     governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b); or
543          (c) a traffic offense case for which the following time periods have elapsed from the
544     day on which the case is adjudicated:
545          (i) at least five years for a class C misdemeanor or an infraction; or
546          (ii) at least six years for a class B misdemeanor.
547          (2) For a traffic offense case that results in an acquittal, is dismissed, or is adjudicated
548     on or after May 1, 2020, the court shall delete all records for the traffic offense upon
549     identification.
550          (3) For a traffic offense case that results in an acquittal, is dismissed, or is adjudicated
551     before May 1, 2020, the court shall delete all records for the traffic offense within one year of
552     the day on which the case is identified as eligible for deletion.

553          [(2) The Judicial Council shall make rules to provide an ongoing process for
554     identifying and deleting records on all traffic offenses described in Subsection (1).]
555          Section 10. Section 77-40a-204 is enacted to read:
556          77-40a-204. Request for automatic expungement of a case -- Automatic
557     expungement before October 1, 2024, and on and after October 1, 2027.
558          (1) (a) On and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, an individual must
559     submit the necessary form to the court to receive an expungement of a case that is eligible
560     under this part.
561          (b) If a form is submitted as described in Subsection (1), the court shall determine
562     whether the individual has a case that qualifies for expungement in accordance with Sections
563     77-40a-205 and 77-40a-206.
564          (2) A court shall automatically expunge a case in accordance with this part if the court
565     identified the case as being eligible for automatic expungement before October 1, 2024, and the
566     requirements for automatic expungement were met under this part.
567          (3) On and after October 1, 2027, a court shall automatically expunge a case in
568     accordance with this part if the court identifies the case as being eligible for automatic
569     expungement.
570          (4) A court shall make reasonable efforts, within available funding, to expunge a case
571     under Subsection (3) as quickly as practicable with the goal of:
572          (a) expunging a case that resulted in an acquittal on all charges on or after May 1,
573     2020, 60 days after acquittal;
574          (b) expunging a case that resulted in a dismissal with prejudice, other than a case that is
575     dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in abeyance agreement
576     governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b), on or after May 1, 2020, 180 days after:
577          (i) for a case in which no appeal was filed, the day on which the entire case against the
578     individual is dismissed with prejudice; or
579          (ii) for a case in which an appeal was filed, the day on which a court issues a final
580     nonappealable order;
581          (c) expunging a clean slate eligible case that is adjudicated or dismissed on or after
582     May 1, 2020, and is not a traffic offense within 30 days of the court determining that the
583     requirements for expungement have been satisfied under Section 77-40a-205; and

584          (d) expunging a case adjudicated or dismissed before May 1, 2020, within one year of
585     the day on which the case is identified as eligible for automatic expungement.
586          Section 11. Section 77-40a-205 is enacted to read:
587          77-40a-205. Automatic expungement of state records for a clean slate case.
588          (1) A court shall issue an order of expungement, without the filing of a petition, for all
589     records of the case that are held by the court and the bureau if:
590          (a) on and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, the individual submitted
591     a form requesting expungement of a case as described in Section 77-40a-204;
592          (b) the case is eligible for expungement under this section; and
593          (c) the prosecuting agency does not object to the expungement of the case as described
594     in Subsection (6).
595          (2) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3), a case is eligible for expungement
596     under this section if:
597          (a) (i) each conviction within the case is a conviction for:
598          (A) a misdemeanor offense for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
599     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);
600          (B) a class B misdemeanor offense;
601          (C) a class C misdemeanor offense; or
602          (D) an infraction; and
603          (ii) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the individual is
604     adjudicated:
605          (A) at least five years for the conviction of a class C misdemeanor offense or an
606     infraction;
607          (B) at least six years for the conviction of a class B misdemeanor offense; or
608          (C) at least seven years for the conviction of a class A misdemeanor offense for
609     possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i); or
610          (b) (i) the case is dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
611     agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b) or the case is dismissed without prejudice;
612          (ii) each charge within the case is:
613          (A) a misdemeanor offense for possession of a controlled substance in violation of
614     Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i);

615          (B) a class B misdemeanor offense;
616          (C) a class C misdemeanor offense; or
617          (D) an infraction; and
618          (iii) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the case is
619     dismissed:
620          (A) at least five years for a charge in the case for a class C misdemeanor offense or an
621     infraction;
622          (B) at least six years for a charge in the case for a class B misdemeanor offense; or
623          (C) at least seven years for a charge in the case for a class A misdemeanor offense for
624     possession of a controlled substance in violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).
625          (3) A case is not eligible for expungement under this section if:
626          (a) the individual has a total number of convictions in courts of this state that exceed
627     the limits under Subsection 77-40a-303(4) or (5) without taking into consideration:
628          (i) the exception in Subsection 77-40a-303(7); or
629          (ii) any infraction, traffic offense, or minor regulatory offense;
630          (b) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending in a
631     court of this state against the individual, unless the proceeding is for a traffic offense;
632          (c) for an individual seeking an automatic expungement on and after January 1, 2025,
633     the individual is incarcerated in the state prison or on probation or parole that is supervised by
634     the Department of Corrections;
635          (d) the case resulted in the individual being found not guilty by reason of insanity;
636          (e) the case establishes a criminal accounts receivable that:
637          (i) has been entered as a civil accounts receivable or a civil judgment of restitution and
638     transferred to the Office of State Debt Collection under Section 77-18-114; or
639          (ii) has not been satisfied according to court records; or
640          (f) the case resulted in a plea held in abeyance or a conviction for the following
641     offenses:
642          (i) any of the offenses listed in Subsection 77-40a-303(2)(a);
643          (ii) an offense against the person in violation of Title 76, Chapter 5, Offenses Against
644     the Individual;
645          (iii) a weapons offense in violation of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons;

646          (iv) sexual battery in violation of Section 76-9-702.1;
647          (v) an act of lewdness in violation of Section 76-9-702 or 76-9-702.5;
648          (vi) an offense in violation of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence
649     and Reckless Driving;
650          (vii) damage to or interruption of a communication device in violation of Section
651     76-6-108;
652          (viii) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1; or
653          (ix) any other offense classified in the Utah Code as a felony or a class A misdemeanor
654     other than a class A misdemeanor conviction for possession of a controlled substance in
655     violation of Subsection 58-37-8(2)(a)(i).
656          (4) A prosecuting agency that has complied with Rule 42 of the Utah Rules of Criminal
657     Procedure shall receive notice on a monthly basis for any case prosecuted by that agency that
658     appears to be eligible for automatic expungement under this section.
659          (5) Within 35 days after the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4) is
660     sent, the prosecuting agency shall provide written notice in accordance with Rule 42 of the
661     Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure if the prosecuting agency objects to an automatic
662     expungement for any of the following reasons:
663          (a) the prosecuting agency believes that the case is not eligible for expungement under
664     this section after reviewing the agency record;
665          (b) the individual has not paid restitution to the victim as ordered by the court; or
666          (c) the prosecuting agency has a reasonable belief, grounded in supporting facts, that an
667     individual involved in the case is continuing to engage in criminal activity within or outside of
668     the state.
669          (6) If a prosecuting agency provides written notice of an objection for a reason
670     described in Subsection (5) within 35 days after the day on which the notice under Subsection
671     (4) is sent, the court may not proceed with automatic expungement of the case.
672          (7) If 35 days pass after the day on which the notice described in Subsection (4) is sent
673     without the prosecuting agency providing written notice of an objection under Subsection (5),
674     the court shall proceed with automatic expungement of the case.
675          (8) If a court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (1), the court shall:
676          (a) expunge all records of the case held by the court in accordance with Section

677     77-40a-401; and
678          (b) notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency identified in the case, based on
679     information available to the court, of the order of expungement.
680          Section 12. Section 77-40a-206 is enacted to read:
681          77-40a-206. Automatic expungement of state records for a case resulting in an
682     acquittal or dismissal with prejudice.
683          (1) A court shall issue an order of expungement, without the filing of a petition, for all
684     records of the case that are held by the court and the bureau if:
685          (a) on and after October 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2027, the individual submitted
686     a form requesting expungement of a case as described in Section 77-40a-204; and
687          (b) the case is eligible for expungement under this section.
688          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a case is eligible for expungement under this
689     section if:
690          (a) (i) the case resulted in an acquittal on all charges; and
691          (ii) at least 60 days have passed after the day on which the case resulted in an acquittal;
692     or
693          (b) (i) the case is dismissed with prejudice; and
694          (ii) at least 180 days have passed after the day on which:
695          (A) for a case in which no appeal was filed, the entire case against the individual is
696     dismissed with prejudice; or
697          (B) for a case in which an appeal was filed, a court issues a final nonappealable order.
698          (3) A case is not eligible for expungement under Subsection (2) if:
699          (a) the case resulted in an acquittal because the individual is found not guilty by reason
700     of insanity; or
701          (b) the case is dismissed with prejudice as a result of successful completion of a plea in
702     abeyance agreement governed by Subsection 77-2a-3(2)(b).
703          (4) If a court issues an order of expungement under Subsection (1), the court shall:
704          (a) expunge all records of the case held by the court as described in Section
705     77-40a-401; and
706          (b) notify the bureau and the prosecuting agency identified in the case, based on
707     information available to the court, of the order of expungement.

708          Section 13. Section 77-40a-207 is enacted to read:
709          77-40a-207. Automatic expungement by the bureau.
710          (1) Upon receiving notice from a court of an expungement order under this part, the
711     bureau shall expunge all records of the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
712          (2) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau of
713     Investigation.
714          (3) Except for the court and the bureau, an agency is not required to expunge all
715     records of a case that is automatically expunged under this part.
716          Section 14. Section 77-40a-301 is amended to read:
717          77-40a-301. Application for certificate of eligibility for expungement -- Penalty
718     for false or misleading information on application.
719          (1) If an individual seeks to expunge the individual's criminal record in regard to an
720     arrest, investigation, detention, or conviction, the individual shall:
721          (a) except as provided in Subsection 77-40a-305(3) or (4), apply to the bureau for a
722     certificate of eligibility for expungement of the criminal record and pay the application fee as
723     described in Section 77-40a-304;
724          [(b) if the individual is qualified to receive a certificate of eligibility, pay the issuance
725     fee for the certificate of eligibility as described in Section 77-40a-304; and]
726          (b) except as provided in Subsections 77-40a-304(3) and (7), pay the issuance fee for
727     the certificate of eligibility as described in Section 77-40a-304; and
728          (c) file a petition for expungement in accordance with Section 77-40a-305.
729          (2) (a) An individual who intentionally or knowingly provides any false or misleading
730     information to the bureau when applying for a certificate of eligibility is guilty of a class B
731     misdemeanor and subject to prosecution under Section 76-8-504.6.
732          (b) Regardless of whether the individual is prosecuted, the bureau may deny a
733     certificate of eligibility to anyone who knowingly provides false information on an application.
734          Section 15. Section 77-40a-302 is amended to read:
735          77-40a-302. Requirements for certificate of eligibility to expunge records of
736     arrest, investigation, and detention.
737          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), if a petitioner is arrested or charged with an
738     offense, the petitioner is eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility from the bureau to

739     expunge records of the arrest, investigation, and detention in the case for the offense if:
740          (a) the following time periods have passed:
741          (i) at least 30 days have passed after the day on which the [individual] petitioner is
742     arrested or charged for the offense;
743          (ii) at least three years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted
744     of the traffic offense if there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class C
745     misdemeanor or an infraction; and
746          (iii) at least four years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted
747     of the traffic offense if there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class B
748     misdemeanor; and
749          (b) one of the following occurs:
750          (i) an investigating law enforcement agency and the prosecuting attorney have screened
751     the case and determined that no charges will be filed against the petitioner;
752          (ii) all charges in the case are dismissed with prejudice;
753          (iii) if a charge in the case is dismissed without prejudice or without condition:
754          (A) the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to the issuance of a certificate of
755     eligibility; or
756          (B) at least 180 days have passed after the day on which the charge is dismissed;
757          (iv) the petitioner is acquitted at trial on all of the charges in the case; or
758          (v) the statute of limitations expires on all of the charges in the case[; and].
759          [(c) (i) there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class C
760     misdemeanor or an infraction, at least three years have passed after the day on which the
761     petitioner was convicted of the traffic offense; or]
762          [(ii) there is a conviction in the case for a traffic offense that is a class B misdemeanor,
763     at least four years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted of the traffic
764     offense.]
765          (2) A petitioner is not eligible for a certificate of eligibility under Subsection (1) if:
766          (a) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
767     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
768          (b) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
769     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense;

770          (c) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
771     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
772     offense; or
773          (d) there is a criminal protective order or a criminal stalking injunction in effect for the
774     case.
775          Section 16. Section 77-40a-303 is amended to read:
776          77-40a-303. Requirements for a certificate of eligibility to expunge records of a
777     conviction.
778          (1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a petitioner is eligible to receive a
779     certificate of eligibility from the bureau to expunge the records of a conviction if:
780          (a) the petitioner has paid in full all fines and interest ordered by the court related to the
781     conviction for which expungement is sought;
782          (b) the petitioner has paid in full all restitution ordered by the court under Section
783     77-38b-205; and
784          (c) the following time periods have passed after the day on which the petitioner was
785     convicted or released from incarceration, parole, or probation, whichever occurred last, for the
786     conviction that the petitioner seeks to expunge:
787          (i) 10 years for the conviction of a misdemeanor under Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
788          (ii) 10 years for the conviction of a felony for operating a motor vehicle with any
789     amount of a controlled substance in an individual's body and causing serious bodily injury or
790     death, as codified before May 4, 2022, Laws of Utah 2021,
791     Chapter 236, Section 1, Subsection 58-37-8(2)(g);
792          (iii) seven years for the conviction of a felony;
793          (iv) five years for the conviction of a drug possession offense that is a felony;
794          (v) five years for the conviction of a class A misdemeanor;
795          (vi) four years for the conviction of a class B misdemeanor; or
796          (vii) three years for the conviction of a class C misdemeanor or infraction.
797          (2) A petitioner is not eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility from the bureau to
798     expunge the records of a conviction under Subsection (1) if:
799          (a) except as provided in Subsection (3), the conviction for which expungement is
800     sought is:

801          (i) a capital felony;
802          (ii) a first degree felony;
803          (iii) a felony conviction of a violent felony as defined in Subsection
804     76-3-203.5(1)(c)(i);
805          (iv) a felony conviction described in Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
806          (v) an offense, or a combination of offenses, that would require the individual to
807     register as a sex offender, as defined in Section 77-41-102; or
808          (vi) a registerable child abuse offense as defined in Subsection 77-43-102(2);
809          (b) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
810     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
811          (c) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
812     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense;
813          (d) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
814     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
815     offense;
816          (e) the petitioner intentionally or knowingly provides false or misleading information
817     on the application for a certificate of eligibility;
818          (f) there is a criminal protective order or a criminal stalking injunction in effect for the
819     case; or
820          (g) the bureau determines that the petitioner's criminal history makes the petitioner
821     ineligible for a certificate of eligibility under Subsection (4) or (5).
822          (3) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to a conviction for a qualifying sexual offense, as
823     defined in Section 76-3-209, if, at the time of the offense, a petitioner who committed the
824     offense was at least 14 years old but under 18 years old, unless the petitioner was convicted by
825     a district court as an adult in accordance with Title 80, Chapter 6, Part 5, Transfer to District
826     Court.
827          (4) Subject to Subsections (6), (7), and (8), a petitioner is not eligible to receive a
828     certificate of eligibility if, at the time the petitioner seeks the certificate of eligibility, the
829     bureau determines that the petitioner's criminal history, including previously expunged
830     convictions, contains any of the following:
831          (a) two or more felony convictions other than for drug possession offenses, each of

832     which is contained in a separate criminal episode;
833          (b) any combination of three or more convictions other than for drug possession
834     offenses that include two class A misdemeanor convictions, each of which is contained in a
835     separate criminal episode;
836          (c) any combination of four or more convictions other than for drug possession
837     offenses that include three class B misdemeanor convictions, each of which is contained in a
838     separate criminal episode; or
839          (d) five or more convictions other than for drug possession offenses of any degree
840     whether misdemeanor or felony, each of which is contained in a separate criminal episode.
841          (5) Subject to Subsections (7) and (8), a petitioner is not eligible to receive a certificate
842     of eligibility if, at the time the petitioner seeks the certificate of eligibility, the bureau
843     determines that the petitioner's criminal history, including previously expunged convictions,
844     contains any of the following:
845          (a) three or more felony convictions for drug possession offenses, each of which is
846     contained in a separate criminal episode; or
847          (b) any combination of five or more convictions for drug possession offenses, each of
848     which is contained in a separate criminal episode.
849          (6) If the petitioner's criminal history contains convictions for both a drug possession
850     offense and a non-drug possession offense arising from the same criminal episode, the bureau
851     shall count that criminal episode as a conviction under Subsection (4) if any non-drug
852     possession offense in that episode:
853          (a) is a felony or class A misdemeanor; or
854          (b) has the same or a longer waiting period under Subsection (1)(c) than any drug
855     possession offense in that episode.
856          (7) Except as provided in Subsection (8), if at least 10 years have passed after the day
857     on which the petitioner was convicted or released from incarceration, parole, or probation,
858     whichever occurred last, for all convictions:
859          (a) each numerical eligibility limit under Subsections (4)(a) and (b) shall be increased
860     by one; and
861          (b) each numerical eligibility limit under Subsections (4)(c) and (d) is not applicable if
862     the highest level of convicted offense in the criminal episode is:

863          (i) a class B misdemeanor;
864          (ii) a class C misdemeanor;
865          (iii) a drug possession offense if none of the non-drug possession offenses in the
866     criminal episode are a felony or a class A misdemeanor; or
867          (iv) an infraction.
868          (8) When determining whether a petitioner is eligible for a certificate of eligibility
869     under Subsection (4), (5), or (7), the bureau may not consider a petitioner's pending case or
870     prior conviction for:
871          (a) an infraction;
872          (b) a traffic offense;
873          (c) a minor regulatory offense; or
874          (d) a clean slate eligible case that was automatically expunged [in accordance with
875     Section 77-40a-201].
876          (9) If the petitioner received a pardon before May 14, 2013, from the Utah Board of
877     Pardons and Parole, the petitioner is entitled to an expungement order for all pardoned crimes
878     in accordance with Section 77-27-5.1.
879          Section 17. Section 77-40a-304 is amended to read:
880          77-40a-304. Certificate of eligibility process -- Issuance of certificate -- Fees.
881          (1) (a) When a petitioner applies for a certificate of eligibility as described in
882     Subsection 77-40a-301(1)[,]:
883          (i) the bureau shall perform a check of records of governmental agencies, including
884     national criminal data bases, to determine whether the petitioner is eligible to receive a
885     certificate of eligibility under this chapter[.]; and
886          (ii) the petitioner shall pay an application fee at the time the petitioner submits an
887     application for a certificate of eligibility to the bureau.
888          (b) For purposes of determining eligibility under this chapter, the bureau may review
889     records of arrest, investigation, detention, and conviction that have been previously expunged,
890     regardless of the jurisdiction in which the expungement occurred.
891          [(c) Once the eligibility process is complete, the bureau shall notify the petitioner.]
892          [(d) If the petitioner meets all of the criteria under Section 77-40a-302 or 77-40a-303:]
893          [(i) the bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility that is valid for a period of 180 days

894     from the day on which the certificate is issued;]
895          [(ii) the bureau shall provide a petitioner with an identification number for the
896     certificate of eligibility; and]
897          [(iii) the petitioner shall pay the issuance fee established by the department as
898     described in Subsection (2).]
899          [(e)] (c) If[, after reasonable research,] a disposition for an arrest on the criminal
900     history file is unobtainable after reasonable research, the bureau may issue a special certificate
901     giving determination of eligibility to the court, except that the bureau may not issue the special
902     certificate if:
903          (i) there is a criminal proceeding for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against
904     the petitioner, unless the criminal proceeding is for a traffic offense;
905          (ii) there is a plea in abeyance for a misdemeanor or felony offense pending against the
906     petitioner, unless the plea in abeyance is for a traffic offense; or
907          (iii) the petitioner is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, unless the
908     petitioner is on probation or parole for an infraction, a traffic offense, or a minor regulatory
909     offense.
910          (2) (a) Once the eligibility process is complete, the bureau shall notify the petitioner.
911          (b) If the petitioner meets all of the criteria under Section 77-40a-302 or 77-40a-303
912     and the bureau determines that the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special certificate is
913     appropriate:
914          (i) the bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility or special certificate that is valid for
915     a period of 180 days from the day on which the certificate is issued;
916          (ii) the bureau shall provide a petitioner with an identification number for the
917     certificate of eligibility or special certificate; and
918          (iii) except as provided in Subsection (3), the petitioner shall pay an additional fee for
919     the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special certificate.
920          [(2) (a) The bureau shall charge application and issuance fees for a certificate of
921     eligibility or special certificate in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.]
922          [(b) The application fee shall be paid at the time the petitioner submits an application
923     for a certificate of eligibility to the bureau.]
924          [(c) If the bureau determines that the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or special

925     certificate is appropriate, the petitioner will be charged an additional fee for the issuance of a
926     certificate of eligibility or special certificate unless Subsection (2)(d) applies.]
927          [(d) An issuance fee may not be assessed against a petitioner who]
928          (3) The bureau shall issue a certificate of eligibility or special certificate without
929     requiring the payment of the issuance fee if the petitioner:
930          (a) qualifies for a certificate of eligibility under Section 77-40a-302 unless the charges
931     were dismissed pursuant to a plea in abeyance agreement under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in
932     Abeyance, or a diversion agreement under Title 77, Chapter 2, Prosecution, Screening, and
933     Diversion[.]; or
934          (b) indicates on the application for a certificate of eligibility that the petitioner
935     reasonably believes, as of the date of the application, that the fee to file a petition for
936     expungement is likely to be waived by a court because the petitioner is indigent.
937          [(e) Funds generated under this Subsection (2) shall be deposited in the General Fund
938     as a dedicated credit by the department to cover the costs incurred in determining eligibility.]
939          [(3)] (4) The bureau shall include on the certificate of eligibility all information that is
940     needed for the court to issue a valid expungement order.
941          [(4)] (5) The bureau shall provide clear written instructions to the petitioner that
942     explain:
943          (a) the process for a petition for expungement; and
944          (b) what is required of the petitioner to complete the process for a petition for
945     expungement.
946          (6) If a petitioner indicates on the application for a certificate of eligibility that a court
947     is likely to waive the fee for a petition for expungement as described in Subsection (3)(b), the
948     bureau shall:
949          (a) inform the petitioner that the petitioner will be required to pay an issuance fee
950     before an agency will expunge the offense if a court does not waive the fee for a petition for
951     expungement; and
952          (b) provide the petitioner with the form for waiving a court fee for a petition for
953     expungement.
954          (7) If the bureau issues a certificate of eligibility or a special certificate without
955     requiring payment of the issuance fee as described in Subsection (3)(b), the bureau shall charge

956     the petitioner the issuance fee upon the bureau's receipt of an order deciding a petition for
957     expungement unless the court communicates to the bureau that the fee to file the petition for
958     expungement was waived because the petitioner is indigent.
959          (8) (a) If the petitioner qualifies for a waiver of the issuance fee under Subsection (7)
960     and the expungement order grants the petition for expungement, the bureau shall process the
961     expungement order in accordance with Section 77-40a-401 as if the petitioner paid the issuance
962     fee.
963          (b) If the petitioner does not qualify for a waiver of the issuance fee under Subsection
964     (7) and the expungement order grants the petition for expungement, the bureau may not process
965     the expungement order as described in Section 77-40a-401, or notify other agencies affected by
966     the expungement order as described in Section 77-40a-307, until the petitioner pays the
967     issuance fee.
968          (c) If the bureau issues a certificate of eligibility or special certificate without requiring
969     payment of the issuance fee under Subsection (3)(b), the bureau may not charge the petitioner
970     an issuance fee on the grounds that the validity of the certificate described in (2)(b)(i) has
971     expired.
972          (9) The bureau shall charge application and issuance fees for a certificate of eligibility
973     or special certificate in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.
974          (10) The department shall deposit funds generated by application and issuance fees
975     under this section into the General Fund as a dedicated credit by the department to cover the
976     costs incurred in determining eligibility for expungement.
977          Section 18. Section 77-40a-305 is amended to read:
978          77-40a-305. Petition for expungement -- Prosecutorial responsibility -- Hearing.
979          (1) (a) The petitioner shall file a petition for expungement, in accordance with the Utah
980     Rules of Criminal Procedure, that includes the identification number for the certificate of
981     eligibility described in Subsection [77-40a-304(1)(d)(ii)] 77-40a-304(2)(b)(ii).
982          (b) Information on a certificate of eligibility is incorporated into a petition by reference
983     to the identification number for the certificate of eligibility.
984          (2) (a) If a petition for expungement is filed under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall
985     obtain a certificate of eligibility from the bureau.
986          (b) A court may not accept a petition for expungement if the certificate of eligibility is

987     no longer valid as described in Subsection [77-40a-304(1)(d)(i)] 77-40a-304(2)(b)(i).
988          (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), the petitioner may file a petition for expungement
989     of a traffic offense case without obtaining a certificate of eligibility if:
990          (a) (i) for a traffic offense case with a class C misdemeanor or infraction, at least three
991     years have passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted; or
992          (ii) for a traffic offense case with a class B misdemeanor, at least four years have
993     passed after the day on which the petitioner was convicted;
994          (b) there is no traffic offense case pending against the petitioner;
995          (c) there is no plea in abeyance for a traffic offense case pending against the petitioner;
996     and
997          (d) the petitioner is not currently on probation for a traffic offense case.
998          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a petitioner may file a petition for expungement of
999     a record for a conviction related to cannabis possession without a certificate of eligibility if the
1000     petition demonstrates that:
1001          (a) the petitioner had, at the time of the relevant arrest or citation leading to the
1002     conviction, a qualifying condition, as that term is defined in Section 26B-4-201; and
1003          (b) the possession of cannabis in question was in a form and an amount to medicinally
1004     treat the qualifying condition described in Subsection (4)(a).
1005          (5) (a) The court shall provide notice of a filing of a petition and certificate of
1006     eligibility to the prosecutorial office that handled the court proceedings within three days after
1007     the day on which the petitioner's filing fee is paid or waived.
1008          (b) If there were no court proceedings, the court shall provide notice of a filing of a
1009     petition and certificate of eligibility to the county attorney's office in the jurisdiction where the
1010     arrest occurred.
1011          (c) If the prosecuting agency with jurisdiction over the arrest, investigation, detention,
1012     or conviction, was a city attorney's office, the county attorney's office in the jurisdiction where
1013     the arrest occurred shall immediately notify the city attorney's office that the county attorney's
1014     office has received a notice of a filing of a petition for expungement.
1015          (6) (a) Upon receipt of a notice of a filing of a petition for expungement of a conviction
1016     or a charge dismissed in accordance with a plea in abeyance, the prosecuting attorney shall
1017     make a reasonable effort to provide notice to any victim of the conviction or charge.

1018          (b) The notice under Subsection (6)(a) shall:
1019          (i) include a copy of the petition, certificate of eligibility, statutes, and rules applicable
1020     to the petition;
1021          (ii) state that the victim has a right to object to the expungement; and
1022          (iii) provide instructions for registering an objection with the court.
1023          (7) (a) The prosecuting attorney may respond to the petition by filing a
1024     recommendation or objection with the court within 35 days after the day on which the notice of
1025     the filing of the petition is sent by the court to the prosecuting attorney.
1026          (b) If there is a victim of the offense for which expungement is sought, the victim may
1027     respond to the petition by filing a recommendation or objection with the court within 60 days
1028     after the day on which the petition for expungement was filed with the court.
1029          (8) (a) The court may request a written response to the petition from the Division of
1030     Adult Probation and Parole within the Department of Corrections.
1031          (b) If requested, the response prepared by the Division of Adult Probation and Parole
1032     shall include:
1033          (i) the reasons probation was terminated; and
1034          (ii) certification that the petitioner has completed all requirements of sentencing and
1035     probation or parole.
1036          (c) The Division of Adult Probation and Parole shall provide a copy of the response to
1037     the petitioner and the prosecuting attorney.
1038          (9) The petitioner may respond in writing to any objections filed by the prosecuting
1039     attorney or the victim and the response prepared by the Division of Adult Probation and Parole
1040     within 14 days after the day on which the objection or response is received.
1041          (10) (a) If the court receives an objection concerning the petition from any party, the
1042     court shall set a date for a hearing and notify the petitioner and the prosecuting attorney of the
1043     date set for the hearing.
1044          (b) The prosecuting attorney shall notify the victim of the date set for the hearing.
1045          (c) The petitioner, the prosecuting attorney, the victim, and any other person who has
1046     relevant information about the petitioner may testify at the hearing.
1047          (d) The court shall review the petition, the certificate of eligibility, and any written
1048     responses submitted regarding the petition.

1049          (11) If no objection is received within 60 days from the day on which the petition for
1050     expungement is filed with the court, the expungement may be granted without a hearing.
1051          (12) (a) If the petitioner seeks a waiver of the fee required for a petition for
1052     expungement in accordance with Section 78A-2-302, the court shall consider the total number
1053     of cases for which the petitioner has received a certificate of eligibility and is seeking
1054     expungement in determining whether the petitioner is indigent under Subsection
1055     78A-2-302(3)(e) even if the court does not have jurisdiction over a case for which the
1056     petitioner is seeking expungement.
1057          (b) If a court grants a waiver of the fee required for a petition for expungement in
1058     accordance with Section 78A-2-302, and only upon a request from the petitioner, a subsequent
1059     court shall grant a waiver of a fee for a petition for expungement if the prior court waived the
1060     fee for a petition for expungement within 180 days before the day on which the petitioner filed
1061     the petition for expungement with the subsequent court.
1062          Section 19. Section 77-40a-306 is amended to read:
1063          77-40a-306. Order of expungement.
1064          (1) If a petition is filed in accordance with Section 77-40a-305, the court shall issue an
1065     order of expungement if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that:
1066          (a) except as provided in Subsection 77-40a-305(3) or (4), the petition and certificate
1067     of eligibility are sufficient;
1068          (b) the statutory requirements have been met;
1069          (c) if the petitioner seeks expungement after a case is dismissed without prejudice or
1070     without condition, the prosecuting attorney provided written consent and has not filed and does
1071     not intend to refile related charges;
1072          (d) if the petitioner seeks expungement without a certificate of eligibility for
1073     expungement under Subsection 77-40a-305(4) for a record of conviction related to cannabis
1074     possession:
1075          (i) the petitioner had, at the time of the relevant arrest or citation leading to the
1076     conviction, a qualifying condition, as that term is defined in Section 26B-4-201; and
1077          (ii) the possession of cannabis in question was in a form and an amount to medicinally
1078     treat the qualifying condition described in Subsection (1)(d)(i);
1079          (e) if an objection is received, the petition for expungement is for a charge dismissed in

1080     accordance with a plea in abeyance agreement, and the charge is an offense eligible to be used
1081     for enhancement, there is good cause for the court to grant the expungement; and
1082          (f) the interests of the public would not be harmed by granting the expungement.
1083          (2) (a) If the court denies a petition described in Subsection (1)(c) because the
1084     prosecuting attorney intends to refile charges, the petitioner may apply again for a certificate of
1085     eligibility if charges are not refiled within 180 days after the day on which the court denies the
1086     petition.
1087          (b) A prosecuting attorney who opposes an expungement of a case dismissed without
1088     prejudice, or without condition, shall have a good faith basis for the intention to refile the case.
1089          (c) A court shall consider the number of times that good faith basis of intention to
1090     refile by the prosecuting attorney is presented to the court in making the court's determination
1091     to grant the petition for expungement described in Subsection (1)(c).
1092          (3) If the court grants a petition described in Subsection (1)(e), the court shall make the
1093     court's findings in a written order.
1094          (4) A court may not expunge a conviction of an offense for which a certificate of
1095     eligibility may not be, or should not have been, issued under Section 77-40a-302 or
1096     77-40a-303.
1097          (5) If a court grants a petition for expungement, the court shall:
1098          (a) expunge all records of the case as described in Section 77-40a-401; and
1099          (b) notify the bureau of the order of expungement.
1100          Section 20. Section 77-40a-307 is enacted to read:
1101          77-40a-307. Distribution of expungement order based on a petition to all agencies.
1102          (1) (a) Upon receiving notice from the court of an expungement order as described in
1103     Subsection 77-40a-306(5), the bureau shall notify all agencies affected by the expungement
1104     order.
1105          (b) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a), the bureau may not notify the Board of Pardons
1106     and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never been:
1107          (i) sentenced to prison in this state; or
1108          (ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.
1109          (c) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau of
1110     Investigation.

1111          (2) A petitioner may deliver copies of the expungement to all agencies affected by the
1112     order of expungement.
1113          (3) If an agency receives an expungement order under this part, the agency shall
1114     expunge all records for the case in accordance with Section 77-40a-401.
1115          Section 21. Section 77-40a-401 is amended to read:
1116     
Part 4. Expungement of Criminal Records

1117          77-40a-401. Processing of expungement order -- Written confirmation of
1118     expungement -- Effect of an expungement.
1119          [(1) (a) The bureau, upon receiving notice from the court, shall notify all criminal
1120     justice agencies affected by the expungement order.]
1121          [(b) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a), the bureau may not notify the Board of Pardons
1122     and Parole of an expungement order if the individual has never been:]
1123          [(i) sentenced to prison in this state; or]
1124          [(ii) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole.]
1125          [(c) A petitioner may deliver copies of the expungement to all criminal justice agencies
1126     affected by the order of expungement.]
1127          [(d) An individual, who receives an expungement order under Section 77-27-5.1, shall
1128     pay a processing fee to the bureau, established in accordance with the process in Section
1129     63J-1-504, before the bureau's record may be expunged.]
1130          [(2) Unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court to respond differently, an
1131     individual or agency who has received an expungement of an arrest or conviction under this
1132     chapter or Section 77-27-5.1 may respond to any inquiry as though the arrest or conviction did
1133     not occur.]
1134          [(3) The bureau shall forward a copy of the expungement order to the Federal Bureau
1135     of Investigation.]
1136          [(4) An agency receiving an expungement order shall expunge the individual's
1137     identifying information contained in records in the agency's possession relating to the incident
1138     for which expungement is ordered.]
1139          [(5) Unless ordered by a court to do so, or in accordance with Section 77-40a-403, a
1140     government agency or official may not divulge information or records that have been
1141     expunged.]

1142          (1) In processing an expungement order, a court and the bureau shall give priority to:
1143          (a) first, an expungement order granting a petition for expungement under Part 3,
1144     Petition for Expungement;
1145          (b) second, an expungement order upon a pardon by the Board of Pardons and Parole
1146     as described in Section 77-27-5.1;
1147          (c) third, an expungement order upon a plea in abeyance as described in Section
1148     77-2a-3;
1149          (d) fourth, an expungement order where an individual submitted a form requesting
1150     automatic expungement under Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion; and
1151          (e) fifth, an expungement order where the court identified the case as being eligible for
1152     automatic expungement under Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion.
1153          (2) An individual, who receives an expungement order under Section 77-27-5.1, shall
1154     pay a processing fee to the bureau, established in accordance with the process in Section
1155     63J-1-504, before the bureau's record may be expunged.
1156          (3) An agency shall:
1157          (a) develop and implement a process to identify an expunged record; and
1158          (b) keep, index, and maintain all expunged records of arrests and convictions.
1159          (4) (a) If an individual who receives an expungement requests confirmation from an
1160     agency, the agency shall provide the individual with written confirmation that:
1161          (i) the agency has identified all records subject to expungement; and
1162          (ii) except as otherwise provided by Sections 77-40a-402 and 77-40a-403, the agency
1163     will restrict or deny access to all of the expunged records.
1164          (b) The bureau may charge a fee for providing a written confirmation under Subsection
1165     (4)(a) in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.
1166          (5) Upon entry of an expungement order, an individual, who received the
1167     expungement, may respond to any inquiry as though the arrest, investigation, detention,
1168     prosecution, or conviction did not occur unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court
1169     to respond differently.
1170          (6) (a) An expungement order may not restrict an agency's use or dissemination of
1171     records in the agency's ordinary course of business until the agency has received a copy of the
1172     order.

1173          (b) Any action taken by an agency after issuance of the order but prior to the agency's
1174     receipt of a copy of the order may not be invalidated by the order.
1175          (7) An expungement order may not:
1176          (a) terminate or invalidate any pending administrative proceedings or actions of which
1177     the individual had notice according to the records of the administrative body prior to issuance
1178     of the expungement order;
1179          (b) affect the enforcement of any order or findings issued by an administrative body
1180     pursuant to the administrative body's lawful authority prior to issuance of the expungement
1181     order;
1182          (c) remove any evidence relating to the individual including records of arrest, which
1183     the administrative body has used or may use in these proceedings; or
1184          (d) prevent an agency from maintaining, sharing, or distributing any record required by
1185     law.
1186          Section 22. Section 77-40a-402 is amended to read:
1187          77-40a-402. Distribution for order for vacatur.
1188          (1) An individual who receives an order for vacatur under Subsection 78B-9-108(2)
1189     shall be responsible for delivering a copy of the order for vacatur to all affected [criminal
1190     justice agencies and officials] agencies.
1191          (2) To complete delivery of the order for vacatur to the bureau, the individual shall
1192     complete and attach to the order for vacatur an application for a certificate of eligibility for
1193     expungement, including identifying information and fingerprints, in accordance with Section
1194     77-40a-301.
1195          (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the bureau shall treat the order for
1196     vacatur and attached certificate of eligibility for expungement the same as a valid order for
1197     expungement under Section 77-40a-401.
1198          (4) Unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by a court to respond differently, an
1199     individual who has received a vacatur of conviction under Subsection 78B-9-108(2) may
1200     respond to any inquiry as though the conviction did not occur.
1201          (5) The bureau shall forward a copy of the order for vacatur to the Federal Bureau of
1202     Investigation.
1203          (6) An agency receiving an order for vacatur shall expunge the individual's identifying

1204     information contained in records in the agency's possession relating to the incident for which
1205     vacatur is ordered.
1206          (7) [A government] An agency or official may not divulge information contained in a
1207     record of arrest, investigation, detention, or conviction after receiving an order for vacatur to
1208     any person or agency, except for:
1209          (a) the individual for whom vacatur was ordered; or
1210          (b) Peace Officer Standards and Training, in accordance with Section 53-6-203 and
1211     Subsection [77-40a-403(4)(b)] 77-40a-403(2)(b).
1212          (8) The bureau may not count vacated convictions against any future expungement
1213     eligibility.
1214          Section 23. Section 77-40a-403 is amended to read:
1215          77-40a-403. Release and use of expunged records.
1216          [(1) (a) The bureau, after receiving an expungement order, shall keep, index, and
1217     maintain all expunged records of arrests and convictions.]
1218          [(b) Any agency, other than the bureau, receiving an expungement order shall develop
1219     and implement a process to identify and maintain an expunged record.]
1220          [(2) (a) An agency shall provide an individual who receives an expungement with
1221     written confirmation that the agency has expunged all records of the offense for which the
1222     individual received the expungement if the individual requests confirmation from the agency.]
1223          [(b) The bureau may charge a fee for providing a written confirmation under
1224     Subsection (2)(a) in accordance with the process in Section 63J-1-504.]
1225          [(3)] (1) (a) [An employee of the bureau, or any agency with an expunged record, may
1226     not] An agency with an expunged record, or any employee of an agency with an expunged
1227     record, may not knowingly or intentionally divulge any information contained in the expunged
1228     record to any person, or another agency, without a court order unless:
1229          (i) specifically authorized by statute; or
1230          (ii) subject to Subsection [(3)(b)] (1)(b), the information in an expunged record is
1231     being shared with another agency through a records management system that both agencies use
1232     for the purpose of record management.
1233          (b) An agency with a records management system may not disclose any information in
1234     an expunged record with another agency or person that does not use the records management

1235     system for the purpose of record management.
1236          [(4)] (2) The following entities or agencies may receive information contained in
1237     expunged records upon specific request:
1238          (a) the Board of Pardons and Parole;
1239          (b) Peace Officer Standards and Training;
1240          (c) federal authorities if required by federal law;
1241          (d) the State Board of Education;
1242          (e) the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, for purposes of investigating
1243     applicants for judicial office; and
1244          (f) a research institution or an agency engaged in research regarding the criminal justice
1245     system if:
1246          (i) the research institution or agency provides a legitimate research purpose for
1247     gathering information from the expunged records;
1248          (ii) the research institution or agency enters into a data sharing agreement with the
1249     court or agency with custody of the expunged records that protects the confidentiality of any
1250     identifying information in the expunged records;
1251          (iii) any research using expunged records does not include any individual's name or
1252     identifying information in any product of that research; and
1253          (iv) any product resulting from research using expunged records includes a disclosure
1254     that expunged records were used for research purposes.
1255          [(5)] (3) Except as otherwise provided by this section or by court order, a person, an
1256     agency, or an entity authorized by this section to view expunged records may not reveal or
1257     release any information obtained from the expunged records to anyone outside the specific
1258     request, including distribution on a public website.
1259          [(6)] (4) A prosecuting attorney may communicate with another prosecuting attorney,
1260     or another prosecutorial agency, regarding information in an expunged record that includes a
1261     conviction, or a charge dismissed as a result of a successful completion of a plea in abeyance
1262     agreement, for:
1263          (a) stalking as described in Section 76-5-106.5;
1264          (b) a domestic violence offense as defined in Section 77-36-1;
1265          (c) an offense that would require the individual to register as a sex offender, as defined

1266     in Section 77-41-102; or
1267          (d) a weapons offense under Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 5, Weapons.
1268          [(7)] (5) Except as provided in Subsection [(9)] (7), a prosecuting attorney may not use
1269     an expunged record for the purpose of a sentencing enhancement or as a basis for charging an
1270     individual with an offense that requires a prior conviction.
1271          [(8)] (6) The bureau may also use the information in the bureau's index as provided in
1272     Section 53-5-704.
1273          [(9)] (7) If[, after obtaining an expungement,] an individual is charged with a felony or
1274     an offense eligible for enhancement based on a prior conviction[, the state] after obtaining an
1275     expungement, the prosecuting attorney may petition the court to open the expunged records
1276     upon a showing of good cause.
1277          [(10)] (8) (a) For judicial sentencing, a court may order any records expunged under
1278     this chapter or Section 77-27-5.1 to be opened and admitted into evidence.
1279          (b) The records are confidential and are available for inspection only by the court,
1280     parties, counsel for the parties, and any other person who is authorized by the court to inspect
1281     them.
1282          (c) At the end of the action or proceeding, the court shall order the records expunged
1283     again.
1284          (d) Any person authorized by this Subsection [(10)] (8) to view expunged records may
1285     not reveal or release any information obtained from the expunged records to anyone outside the
1286     court.
1287          [(11)] (9) Records released under this chapter are classified as protected under Section
1288     63G-2-305 and are accessible only as provided under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Part 2, Access to
1289     Records, and Subsection 53-10-108(2)(k) for records held by the bureau.
1290          Section 24. Section 77-40a-404 is amended to read:
1291          77-40a-404. Confirmation of expungement -- Access to expunged records by
1292     individuals.
1293          (1) An individual who receives an expungement may request a written confirmation
1294     from an agency under Subsection [77-40a-403(2)] 77-40a-401(4) to confirm that the agency
1295     has expunged all records of the offense for which the individual received the expungement.
1296          (2) The following individuals may view or obtain an expunged record under this

1297     chapter or Section 77-27-5.1:
1298          (a) the petitioner or an individual who receives an automatic expungement under
1299     [Section 77-40a-201] Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion;
1300          (b) a law enforcement officer, who was involved in the case, for use solely in the
1301     officer's defense of a civil action arising out of the officer's involvement with the petitioner in
1302     that particular case; and
1303          (c) a party to a civil action arising out of the expunged incident if the information is
1304     kept confidential and utilized only in the action.
1305          Section 25. Section 78A-2-302 is amended to read:
1306          78A-2-302. Waiver of fees, costs, and security -- Indigent litigants -- Affidavit.
1307          (1) As used in Sections 78A-2-302 through 78A-2-309:
1308          (a) "Convicted" means:
1309          (i) a conviction by entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, guilty with a mental
1310     condition, no contest; and
1311          (ii) a conviction of any crime or offense.
1312          (b) "Indigent" means [an individual who is financially unable to pay fees and costs or
1313     give security] a financial status that results from a court finding that a petitioner is financially
1314     unable to pay the fee, a cost, or give security.
1315          (c) "Prisoner" means an individual who has been convicted of a crime and is
1316     incarcerated for that crime or is being held in custody for trial or sentencing.
1317          (2) An individual may institute, prosecute, defend, or appeal any cause in a court in this
1318     state without prepayment of fees and costs or security if:
1319          (a) the individual submits an affidavit demonstrating that the individual is indigent[.];
1320     or
1321          (b) the individual is seeking a waiver of the fee for a petition for expungement and the
1322     individual provides the court with proof that another court granted a waiver for a petition for
1323     expungement as described in Subsection 77-40a-305(12)(b).
1324          (3) A court shall find an individual indigent if the individual's affidavit under
1325     Subsection (2) demonstrates:
1326          (a) if the cause is not a petition for expungement, the individual has an income level at
1327     or below 150% of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recent poverty income

1328     guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;
1329          (b) if the cause is a petition for expungement, the individual has an income level at or
1330     below 175% of the United States poverty level as defined by the most recent poverty income
1331     guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;
1332          [(b)] (c) the individual receives benefits from a means-tested government program,
1333     including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, the
1334     Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Medicaid;
1335          [(c)] (d) the individual receives legal services from a nonprofit provider or a pro bono
1336     attorney through the Utah State Bar; or
1337          [(d)] (e) the individual has insufficient income or other means to pay the necessary fees
1338     and costs or security without depriving the individual, or the individual's family, of food,
1339     shelter, clothing, or other necessities.
1340          (4) An affidavit demonstrating that an individual is indigent under Subsection [(3)(d)]
1341     (3)(e) shall contain complete information on the individual's:
1342          (a) identity and residence;
1343          (b) amount of income, including any government financial support, alimony, or child
1344     support;
1345          (c) assets owned, including real and personal property;
1346          (d) business interests;
1347          (e) accounts receivable;
1348          (f) securities, checking and savings account balances;
1349          (g) debts; and
1350          (h) monthly expenses.
1351          (5) If the individual under Subsection (3) is a prisoner, the prisoner shall disclose the
1352     amount of money held in the prisoner's trust account at the time the affidavit under Subsection
1353     (2) is executed in accordance with Section 78A-2-305.
1354          (6) An affidavit of indigency under this section shall state the following:
1355          I, (insert name), do solemnly swear or affirm that due to my poverty I am unable to bear
1356     the expenses of the action or legal proceedings which I am about to commence or the appeal
1357     which I am about to take, and that I believe I am entitled to the relief sought by the action, legal
1358     proceedings, or appeal.

1359          (7) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall include on a form for an affidavit of
1360     indigency the following warning: "It is a crime for anyone to intentionally or knowingly
1361     provide false or misleading information to the court when seeking a waiver of a court fee."
1362          Section 26. Section 78A-7-209.5 is amended to read:
1363          78A-7-209.5. Presiding judge -- Associate presiding judge -- Election -- Powers --
1364     Duties.
1365          (1) (a) In judicial districts having more than one justice court judge, the justice court
1366     judges shall elect one judge of the district to the office of presiding judge.
1367          (b) The presiding judge shall receive an additional $2,000 per annum as compensation
1368     from the Justice Court Technology, Security, and Training Account described in Section
1369     78A-7-301 for the period served as presiding judge.
1370          (2) (a) In judicial districts having more than two justice court judges, the justice court
1371     judges may elect one judge of the district to the office of associate presiding judge.
1372          (b) The associate presiding judge shall receive an additional $1,000 per annum as
1373     compensation from the Justice Court Technology, Security, and Training Account described in
1374     Section 78A-7-301 for the period served as associate presiding judge.
1375          (3) The presiding judge has the following authority and responsibilities, consistent with
1376     the policies of the Judicial Council:
1377          (a) working with each justice court judge in the district to implement policies and rules
1378     of the Judicial Council;
1379          (b) exercising powers and performing administrative duties as authorized by the
1380     Judicial Council;
1381          (c) if there is no other appointed justice court judge in that court available, assigning a
1382     justice court judge to hear a case in which a judge has been disqualified in accordance with
1383     rules of the Supreme Court;
1384          (d) if a justice court judge of the district cannot perform the justice court judge's duties
1385     in a case or cases due to illness, death, or other incapacity, and the governing body has not
1386     appointed a temporary justice court judge in accordance with Section 78A-7-208:
1387          (i) assigning, on an emergency basis, a justice court judge to hear a case or cases; and
1388          (ii) facilitating judicial coverage with the appointing municipal or county authority
1389     until a temporary justice court judge can be appointed, in accordance with Section 78A-7-208,

1390     or a new justice court judge is formally appointed and takes office, in accordance with Section
1391     78A-7-202; and
1392          (e) entering orders of expungement in cases expunged in accordance with [Section
1393     77-40a-201] Title 77, Chapter 40a, Part 2, Automatic Expungement and Deletion.
1394          (4) (a) When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge shall
1395     assume the responsibilities of the presiding judge.
1396          (b) The associate presiding judge shall perform other duties assigned by the presiding
1397     judge.
1398          Section 27. Section 78B-7-1001 is amended to read:
1399          78B-7-1001. Definitions.
1400          As used in this part:
1401          (1) (a) [Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), "agency"] "Agency" means, except as
1402     provided in Subsection (1)(b), a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
1403     maintains records relating to a civil order for which expungement may be ordered.
1404          (b) "Agency" does not include the Division of Child and Family Services created in
1405     Section 80-2-201.
1406          (2) "Civil order" means:
1407          (a) an ex parte civil protective order;
1408          (b) an ex parte civil stalking injunction;
1409          (c) a civil protective order; or
1410          (d) a civil stalking injunction.
1411          [(3) "Expunge" means to seal or otherwise restrict access to an individual's record held
1412     by an agency when the record includes a civil order.]
1413          (3) (a) "Expunge" means to remove a record from public inspection by:
1414          (i) sealing the record; or
1415          (ii) restricting or denying access to the record.
1416          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a record.
1417          (4) "Petitioner" means an individual petitioning for expungement of a civil order under
1418     this part.
1419          Section 28. Section 78B-7-1004 is amended to read:
1420          78B-7-1004. Distribution and effect of order of expungement -- Penalty.

1421          (1) An individual who receives an order of expungement under Section 78B-7-1003
1422     shall be responsible for delivering a copy of the order of expungement to any affected agency.
1423          [(2) Upon receipt of an order of expungement as described in Subsection (1), an agency
1424     shall expunge all records described in the expungement order that are under the control of the
1425     agency.]
1426          (2) If an agency receives an expungement order as described in Subsection (1), the
1427     agency shall expunge all records affected by the expungement order.
1428          (3) Upon entry of an expungement order by a court under Section 78B-7-1003:
1429          (a) the civil order is considered to never have occurred; and
1430          (b) the petitioner may reply to an inquiry on the matter as though there was never a
1431     civil order.
1432          (4) (a) Unless ordered by a court to do so, an agency or official may not divulge
1433     information or records that have been expunged under this part.
1434          (b) An expungement order may not restrict an agency's use or dissemination of records
1435     in the agency's ordinary course of business until the agency has received a copy of the
1436     expungement order.
1437          (c) Any action taken by an agency after issuance of the expungement order but before
1438     the agency's receipt of a copy of the expungement order may not be invalidated by the order.
1439          (5) An expungement order under this part may not:
1440          (a) terminate or invalidate any pending administrative proceedings or actions of which
1441     the individual had notice according to the records of the administrative body before issuance of
1442     the expungement order;
1443          (b) affect the enforcement of any order or findings issued by an administrative body
1444     pursuant to the administrative body's lawful authority prior to issuance of the expungement
1445     order; or
1446          (c) prevent an agency from maintaining, sharing, or distributing any record required by
1447     law.
1448          (6) An employee or agent of an agency that is prohibited from disseminating
1449     information from an expunged record under this section who knowingly or intentionally
1450     discloses identifying information from the expunged record, unless allowed by law, is guilty of
1451     a class A misdemeanor.

1452          (7) Records expunged under this part may be released to, or viewed by, the following
1453     individuals:
1454          (a) the petitioner; or
1455          (b) parties to a civil action arising out of the expunged civil order, providing the
1456     information is kept confidential and utilized only in the action.
1457          (8) This part does not preclude a court from considering the same circumstances or
1458     evidence for which an expunged civil order was issued in any proceeding that occurs after the
1459     civil order is expunged.
1460          Section 29. Section 80-6-1001 is amended to read:
1461          80-6-1001. Definitions.
1462          As used in this part:
1463          (1) "Abstract" means a copy or summary of a court's disposition.
1464          (2) (a) "Agency" means a state, county, or local government entity that generates or
1465     maintains records for which expungement may be ordered under this part.
1466          (b) "Agency" includes a local education agency, as defined in Section 53E-1-102, for
1467     purposes of this part.
1468          (3) (a) "Expunge" means [to seal or otherwise restrict access to a record that is part of
1469     an individual's juvenile record and in the custody of the juvenile court or an agency] to remove
1470     a juvenile record from public inspection by:
1471          (i) sealing the juvenile record; or
1472          (ii) restricting or denying access to the juvenile record.
1473          (b) "Expunge" does not include the destruction of a juvenile record.
1474          (4) (a) "Juvenile record" means all records for all incidents of delinquency involving an
1475     individual that are in the custody of the juvenile court or an agency.
1476          (b) "Juvenile record" does not include a record of an adjudication under Chapter 3,
1477     Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, or Chapter 4, Termination and Restoration of
1478     Parental Rights.
1479          (5) "Petitioner" means an individual requesting an expungement or vacatur under this
1480     part.
1481          Section 30. Section 80-6-1006.1 is amended to read:
1482          80-6-1006.1. Exceptions to expungement order -- Distribution of expungement

1483     order -- Agency duties -- Effect of expungement -- Access to expunged record.
1484          (1) This section applies to an expungement order under Section 80-6-1004.1,
1485     80-6-1004.2, 80-6-1004.3, 80-6-1004.4, or 80-6-1004.5.
1486          (2) The juvenile court may not order:
1487          (a) the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of Corrections to seal a record
1488     in the possession of the Board of Pardons and Parole or the Department of Corrections, except
1489     that the juvenile court may order the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of
1490     Corrections to restrict access to a record if the record is specifically identified in the
1491     expungement order as a record in the possession of the Board of Pardons and Parole or the
1492     Department of Corrections; or
1493          (b) the Division of Child and Family Services to expunge a record in an individual's
1494     juvenile record that is contained in the Management Information System or the Licensing
1495     Information System unless:
1496          (i) the record is unsupported; or
1497          (ii) after notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Division of Child and Family
1498     Services stipulates in writing to expunging the record.
1499          (3) (a) If the juvenile court issues an expungement order, the juvenile court shall send a
1500     copy of the expungement order to any affected agency or official identified in the juvenile
1501     record.
1502          (b) An individual who is the subject of an expungement order may deliver copies of the
1503     expungement order to all agencies and officials affected by the expungement order.
1504          (4) (a) Upon receipt of an expungement order, an agency shall:
1505          (i) [to avoid destruction or expungement of records in whole or in part, expunge only
1506     the references to the individual's name in the records relating to the individual's adjudication,
1507     nonjudicial adjustment, petition, arrest, investigation, or detention for which expungement is
1508     ordered] expunge all records affected by the expungement order; and
1509          (ii) destroy all photographs and records created under Section 80-6-608, except that a
1510     record of a minor's fingerprints may not be destroyed by an agency.
1511          (b) An agency that receives a copy of an expungement order shall mail an affidavit to
1512     the individual who is the subject of the expungement order, or the individual's attorney, that the
1513     agency has complied with the expungement order.

1514          (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4), the Board of Pardons and Parole and the
1515     Department of Corrections:
1516          (a) may not disclose records expunged in an expungement order unless required by
1517     law;
1518          (b) are not required to destroy any photograph or record created under Section
1519     80-6-608;
1520          (c) may use an expunged record for purposes related to incarceration and supervision
1521     of an individual under the jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Parole, including for the
1522     purpose of making decisions about:
1523          (i) the treatment and programming of the individual;
1524          (ii) housing of the individual;
1525          (iii) applicable guidelines regarding the individual; or
1526          (iv) supervision conditions for the individual;
1527          (d) are not prohibited from disclosing or sharing any information in an expunged
1528     record with another agency that uses the same record management system as the Board of
1529     Pardons and Parole or the Department of Corrections; and
1530          (e) are not required to mail an affidavit under Subsection (4)(b).
1531          (6) Upon entry of an expungement order:
1532          (a) an adjudication, a nonjudicial adjustment, a petition, an arrest, an investigation, or a
1533     detention for which the record is expunged is considered to have never occurred; and
1534          (b) the individual, who is the subject of the expungement order, may reply to an inquiry
1535     on the matter as though there never was an adjudication, a nonjudicial adjustment, a petition,
1536     an arrest, an investigation, or a detention.
1537          (7) A record expunged under Section 80-6-1004.1, 80-6-1004.2, 80-6-1004.3,
1538     80-6-1004.4, or 80-6-1004.5 may be released to, or viewed by, the individual who is the subject
1539     of the record.
1540          Section 31. Repealer.
1541          This bill repeals:
1542          Section 77-40a-203, Time periods for expungement or deletion -- Identification and
1543     processing of clean slate eligible cases.
1544          Section 32. Effective date.

1545          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect on October 1, 2024.
1546          (2) Section 63M-7-221 takes effect on May 1, 2024.