California's SB 731 Would Prevent Employers From Seeing Criminal Histories Beyond 4 Years

The California Legislature is currently considering a new bill, SB 731, that would limit employers' access to many criminal records. If enacted, there will be a four-year limit, meaning that they won't be able to see criminal records go beyond the last four years. This wouldn't just apply to employers: banks, credit unions, insurance companies, mortgage brokers, broker-dealers, and Tribal Gaming Commissions would also only be allowed to look at the last four years rather than their usual mandated ten-year checks.
According to a press release from Senator Maria Elena Durazo, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill, SB 731 "would implement a comprehensive system to prospectively and retroactively seal conviction and arrest records through a structured approach to sunsetting conviction histories." The system has other essential features as well: it would automatically seal all arrest records that don't result in a conviction and introduce phased relief for records by expanding record sealing to all sentences once offenders have completed their sentencing terms and completed an additional period without re-offending.

While it's expected that many groups will appeal to keep the existing seven-year criminal record check term, the bill is generally expected to pass and be signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

We're thrilled to see progress like this in states across the US. You shouldn't have to continue to pay for the mistakes you made years ago, especially if you've maintained a clean record since. Why should someone who is otherwise qualified for a position be turned away because of an old mistake they've already paid for? If you're tired of employers seeing your criminal record, we might be able to help. Get in touch with us to see if there are charges or records we can eliminate with our fast and affordable record-clearing software.