FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1212

C 174 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Sealing certain juvenile records.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Juvenile Justice (originally sponsored by Representative Bush).

House Committee on Juvenile Justice

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:

A juvenile adjudicated of an offense may petition the court to vacate its order and findings and seal the records of the case when certain conditions are met.  A juvenile record for an offense may not be sealed until the offender has paid full restitution.  Any subsequent adjudication of a juvenile offense or subsequent charging of an adult felony nullifies a sealing order on the offender's juvenile records.

Juvenile records related to class A or sex offenses may not be sealed.  Juvenile records relating to class B offenses may be sealed if the offender has spent 10 years in the community without committing an offense.  Juvenile records relating to class C offenses may be sealed after the offender has spent five years in the community without committing an offense.   There is no provision in current law authorizing the court to seal juvenile records for diversions, misdemeanors, or gross misdemeanors.

Summary:

A person's juvenile records for misdemeanors may be sealed if the person is at least 18 years old, and has spent two consecutive years after release from confinement, if any, or entry of the order of disposition, in the community without committing an offense or crime that subsequently results in conviction or diversion.

A person's juvenile records for gross misdemeanors may be sealed if the person is at least 18 years old and has spent three consecutive years after release from confinement, if any, or entry of the order of disposition, in the community without committing an offense or crime that subsequently results in conviction.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate490(Senate amended)

House840(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001