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SCR 137

Encourages Executive Branch and local government entities to use optimization modeling tools to evaluate energy policies and support sustainable, cost-effective, and health-conscious planning.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Smith

Creates the Automatic Expungement Task Force to study and implement electronic expungement for eligible Kentucky records, easing barriers to work, housing, and civic participation.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
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Bill Summary · SCR 137

Summary of SCR 137: Automatic Expungement Task Force

Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 137 is a concurrent resolution directing the creation of the Automatic Expungement Task Force within the Legislative Research Commission (LRC).
  • The aim is to study and make recommendations on developing and implementing electronic, automatic expungement processes for eligible Kentucky records, addressing challenges to ensure an effective, efficient system.
  • The measure is grounded in policy goals such as reducing barriers to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities for individuals with criminal records; expungement is framed as a tool to reduce recidivism and promote community reintegration.

Background Context

  • The resolution cites that over one million adults in Kentucky have a criminal record, with up to 44% potentially eligible for full expungement.
  • It notes that current expungement processes can be confusing, expensive, and encumbered by red tape.
  • The overarching message is to provide a fair path to redemption and civic participation for those with records.

Key Provisions

Section 1 — Establishment and Scope

  • The Legislative Research Commission shall establish the Automatic Expungement Task Force.
  • Task force responsibilities include developing and implementing electronic processes and procedures for automatic expungement.
  • It shall identify challenges, propose systemic changes, evaluate technological requirements, and develop cost estimates and potential funding sources.

Section 2 — Composition and Membership

  • The task force shall include:
    • The Speaker of the House (or designee) as co-chair.
    • The President of the Senate (or designee) as co-chair.
    • A representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts (appointed by the Chief Justice).
    • Additional designees and representatives from relevant judicial, law enforcement, prosecutorial, and administrative entities (as enumerated in the bill, including associations of sheriffs, police, circuit/district judges, circuit clerks, state police, Commonwealth's Attorneys, County Attorneys, and a public advocate).
    • Three representatives from the Clean Slate Kentucky coalition, including at least one impacted individual.
  • Final membership is subject to approval by the Legislative Research Commission.

Section 3 — Meetings and Staff

  • The task force must meet at least monthly during the 2025 Interim, unless otherwise directed.
  • It shall be staffed by the Legislative Research Commission.

Section 4 — Reporting and Recommendations

  • The task force must submit a report of findings and recommendations to the LRC no later than November 1, 2025.
  • The report is for referral to the 2026 Regular Session and may include a legislative proposal.

Section 5 — Alternative Arrangements

  • The LRC may, if desired, assign the issues to an interim joint committee or subcommittee and designate a study completion date, notwithstanding other provisions.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Introduction: March 5, 2025.
  • Actions: Passed from Judiciary to Senate Floor in March 2025; placeholder timeline indicates an expedited review pathway during the 2025 interim.
  • Reporting deadline to LRC: November 1, 2025.
  • Purpose: To inform consideration for the 2026 Regular Session.

Potential Impact and Beneficiaries

  • Aims to streamline and automate expungement for eligible Kentucky records, reducing time, cost, and complexity for applicants.
  • Beneficiaries include individuals with qualifying records, particularly those who have been deterred by bureaucratic barriers.
  • May influence policy, budgeting, and procedural changes across courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and agencies involved in record-keeping and expungement processes.
  • Could lead to legislative proposals in 2026 to implement automatic expungement on a broader scale.

Status

  • Status: to Senate Floor (as of the provided actions).
  • It is a concurrent resolution directing establishment of a task force rather than a standalone bill creating new law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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