HB 2708
AN ACT relating to the eligibility of certain criminal defendants for an
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Modifies the eligibility and waiting periods for individuals seeking to have their criminal records sealed (nondisclosure) after completing deferred adjudication or community supervision. The changes reduce waiting periods for various offense levels, making it easier and faster for people to petition for criminal record nondisclosure after completing their sentences. The bill applies to misdemeanors, state jail felonies, and different degrees of felonies, with specific timelines for each offense type, and aims to help individuals more quickly move past their criminal history and improve their opportunities for employment and personal advancement.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the eligibility of certain criminal defendants for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 411.0725(e), Government Code, is amended (e) A person may petition the court that placed the person on deferred adjudication community supervision for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under this (1) the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a misdemeanor [other than a misdemeanor described by Subdivision (2) the first [second] anniversary of the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a state jail felony [misdemeanor under Chapter 20, 21, 22, 25, 42, 43, or 46, Penal Code]; or (3) the second [fifth] anniversary of the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a felony other than a state jail felony. SECTION 2. The heading to Section 411.073, Government Code, Sec. 411.073. PROCEDURE FOR COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOLLOWING CONVICTION; CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES. SECTION 3. Sections 411.073(a), (b), and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) This section applies only to a person placed on community supervision under Chapter 42A, Code of Criminal (1) following a conviction of an offense [a misdemeanor] other than an offense [a misdemeanor] under: (A) Section 106.041, Alcoholic Beverage Code; or (B) [,] Section 49.04, 49.045, 49.05, 49.06, 49.061, [or] 49.065, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code[, or Chapter 71, (2) under a provision of Chapter 42A, Code of Criminal Procedure, other than Subchapter C, including: (A) a provision that requires the person to serve a term of confinement as a condition of community supervision; or (B) another provision that authorizes placing a person on community supervision after the person has served part of a term of confinement imposed for the offense. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter or Subchapter F, a person described by Subsection (a) whose community supervision is not revoked and who completes the period of community supervision, including any term of confinement imposed and payment of all fines, costs, and restitution imposed, may petition the court that placed the person on community supervision for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under this section if the person[: [(1)] satisfies the requirements of this section and [(2) has never been previously convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for another offense other than a traffic offense that is punishable by fine only]. (d) A person may petition the court that placed the person on community supervision for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under this section only on or after: (1) the completion of the community supervision, if the offense for which the person was placed on community supervision was a misdemeanor [other than a misdemeanor described (2) the second anniversary of the date of completion of the community supervision, if the offense for which the person was placed on community supervision was a state jail felony; (3) the fifth anniversary of the date of completion of the community supervision, if the offense for which the person was placed on community supervision was a felony of the third degree; (4) the seventh anniversary of the date of completion of the community supervision, if the offense for which the person was placed on community supervision was a felony of the second (5) the 10th anniversary of the date of completion of the community supervision, if the offense for which the person was placed on community supervision was a felony of the first degree [misdemeanor under Chapter 20, 21, 22, 25, 42, 43, or 46, Penal SECTION 4. The heading to Section 411.0735, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 411.0735. PROCEDURE FOR CONVICTION; CERTAIN SECTION 5. Sections 411.0735(a), (b), and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) This section applies only to a person who: (1) is convicted of an offense [a misdemeanor] other than an offense [a misdemeanor] under: (A) Section 106.041, Alcoholic Beverage Code; or (B) [,] Section 49.04, 49.045, 49.05, 49.06, 49.061, [or] 49.065, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code[, or Chapter 71, (2) is not eligible for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under Section 411.073. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter or Subchapter F, a person described by Subsection (a) who completes the person's sentence, including any term of confinement imposed and payment of all fines, costs, and restitution imposed, may petition the court that imposed the sentence for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under this [(1)] satisfies the requirements of this section and [(2) has never been previously convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for another offense other than a traffic offense that is punishable by fine only]. (d) A person may petition the court that imposed the sentence for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information under this section only on or after: (1) the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a misdemeanor (2) the first [second] anniversary of the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a misdemeanor other than a misdemeanor (3) the fifth anniversary of the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a state jail felony; (4) the seventh anniversary of the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a felony of the third degree; (5) the 10th anniversary of the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a felony of the second degree; or (6) the 12th anniversary of the date of completion of the person's sentence, if the offense of which the person was convicted was a felony of the first degree. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the eligibility of certain criminal defendants for an
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