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Bill Summary · HB 1136

Summary of House Bill 1136

Bill Number: HB 1136
Title: To Amend the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013; and to Prohibit a Court from Granting a Uniform Petition When a Person is Subject to an Active Warrant of Arrest
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: January 15, 2025
Sponsor: Representative Achor

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1136 aimed to amend the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013. The primary intent of the bill was to establish stricter criteria for individuals seeking to seal their criminal records, specifically by prohibiting the sealing of records for individuals who have an active warrant for their arrest.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following significant changes to existing law:

  1. Uniform Petition Requirements:

    • The bill sought to amend Arkansas Code § 16-90-1414(a)(3)(A) to require that the uniform petition for sealing criminal records must include:
      • A verified statement regarding any pending felony charges in state or federal court.
      • A declaration of whether the petitioner is subject to an active warrant of arrest issued by any court.
      • Information on whether the individual is required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1997.

  2. Prohibition on Granting Petitions:

    • An additional subsection was proposed to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1415, stating that:
      • A court shall not grant a uniform petition to seal criminal records if the individual is subject to an active warrant of arrest.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1136 would have affected individuals seeking to seal their criminal records in Arkansas. Specifically, those with outstanding warrants would have been ineligible to have their records sealed, potentially impacting their ability to secure employment, housing, and other opportunities that require background checks.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 15, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • January 15, 2025: Rules suspended, read a second time, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
  • May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress further in the legislative process.

Conclusion

House Bill 1136 represented an effort to tighten the criteria for sealing criminal records in Arkansas, focusing on public safety and accountability for individuals with active legal issues. Despite its introduction, the bill did not advance beyond the committee stage.

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

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