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Bill

Bill

S 4270

Implements procedures for automated "Clean Slate" expungements.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by John Burzichelli and 1 co-sponsor

Automates expungement of eligible records after set waiting periods, removing them from public access without a petition and ending automated processing by Jan 1, 2030.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4270

Summary of Bill S 4270 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Purpose and intent

This bill establishes and accelerates an automated “Clean Slate” expungement process for eligible criminal records. Building on the 2019 Clean Slate framework, it aims to render certain arrests, convictions, and related records inaccessible to the public without requiring individuals to file expungement petitions. The Automation is intended to improve timeliness, reduce barriers to expungement, and provide annual reporting on the program’s effectiveness.

Key provisions and changes

  • Automated Clean Slate Process (new framework):

    • Creates an automated mechanism to expunge eligible records without a petition.
    • Eligible records may include arrests, dispositions, and convictions for crimes and offenses that are otherwise eligible for expungement under state law.
    • The process runs in addition to, and cumulatively with, existing expungement rights and procedures.

  • Eligibility timeframes (adjusted waiting periods):

    • Disorderly Persons / Petty Disorderly Persons offenses: eligible after 5 years from the most recent conviction, completion of probation/parole, or release from incarceration (whichever is later), provided no disqualifying convictions in the interim.
    • Indictable crimes (convictions that are not explicitly barred from expungement): eligible after 7 years from the most recent conviction, completion of supervision or release, with no later-state convictions and no pending proceedings.
    • For cases where court-ordered financial assessments (fines, restitution, etc.) remain outstanding, the expungement may still proceed through automation, with the outstanding debt converted to a civil judgment in the Treasurer’s name, and collection transferred to the State Treasurer (subject to specified rules).

  • Automation process mechanics:

    • The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) identifies new eligible dispositions monthly and reevaluates previously ineligible records as time passes.
    • The AOC transmits eligible records to the Superior Court Clerk and the presiding judge in each vicinage; the judge must issue expungement orders within 30 days.
    • State Police updates the online expungement status portal; affected parties and agencies receive expungement orders, and expunged records are processed accordingly (with required service to parties).

  • Data and transparency:

    • The AOC must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on the process’s effectiveness, including counts of eligible and expunged records, implementation challenges, and aggregate demographic impact.

  • Effect on existing expungement law:

    • Repeals the current section tied to the prior “automated” framework (separate provision in 2019 law) and integrates automated processing with the broader expungement regime.
    • Allows for continued eligibility under other expungement methods if they exist.

  • Effective date and implementation:

    • Takes effect on the first day of the second month after enactment, with anticipatory actions allowed for timely deployment.
    • All electronic records identified as eligible by the automated process must be expunged by January 1, 2030, in a schedule determined by the AOC.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals with arrest records or convictions that become eligible for expungement under the new timeframes.
  • Courts (Superior Court and vicinage judges), the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Division of State Police, prosecutors, Public Defender, and the Treasurer (for handling civil judgments related to unpaid financial assessments).
  • Agencies maintaining electronic case data and the online expungement status portal.
  • The public, who will have reduced access to expunged records as automated processes render them inaccessible.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Monthly identification and reevaluation of eligible records by the AOC within two years of enactment.
  • Judges must issue expungement orders within 30 days of record transmission.
  • Expunged records processed within one month of service to required parties.
  • Automatic expungement target: all eligible electronic records to be expunged by January 1, 2030.
  • Annual reporting requirement by the AOC on process effectiveness and demographic impact.

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

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