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Bill

HB 387

Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation Fund; create and provide for a new fee on expungement petitions to be deposited into.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Percy Watson

Creates expungement petition fee funding mechanism for Mississippi legal services corporation supporting low-income clients' legal representation.

Referred To Judiciary B;Appropriations A
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Bill Summary · HB 387

Legislative bill overview

HB 387 creates a new fund for the Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation and establishes a fee on expungement petitions that would be deposited into this fund. The bill aims to generate revenue specifically dedicated to supporting legal services for low-income Mississippians by leveraging the expungement petition process.

Why is this important

Expungement—the legal process to seal or erase criminal records—is increasingly used by people seeking to rebuild their lives after convictions. This bill ties funding for legal aid services directly to expungement activity, potentially creating a sustainable revenue stream for organizations serving indigent clients. However, it also introduces a cost barrier to a process that low-income individuals already struggle to afford.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive impact: Adding fees to expungement petitions may discourage low-income individuals from clearing their records, potentially undermining criminal justice reform goals and limiting employment/housing opportunities for vulnerable populations
  • Fairness concerns: Those seeking to expunge records—often people with limited means—would directly fund legal services, raising questions about whether this is an appropriate revenue source versus general appropriations
  • Implementation details: The bill's current form lacks specifics on fee amount, exemptions for indigent filers, and how the fund will be administered and distributed

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

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