BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota’s House has approved legislation that would allow people convicted of some crimes to have their records sealed if they stay out of trouble for a few years.
The House voted to approve the bill 78-13 on Wednesday.
Fargo Republican Rep. Shannon Roers Jones sponsored the bill. She says the intent is to have it apply only to nonviolent and nonsexual offenses.
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The bill would allow someone convicted of a misdemeanor to apply to have the offense sealed if they are not charged with a new crime for at least three years. Someone convicted of a felony may apply if they are not charged with a new crime for at least five years.
Roers Jones says the sealing of records is not automatic, and courts would make the determination.
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