This past spring, a Florida bill that would make it easier for juveniles to expunge their arrest records passed unanimously. The bill provided more opportunities for expunctions after minors completed a behavioral program, which would have benefited thousands of minors who would have escaped the burden of carrying a criminal record into their adult lives. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the bill at the last minute, crushing the hope of criminal justice reform advocates across the state.
Now, lawmakers have once again introduced the bill. SB 342 looks similar to the former bill, but lawmakers removed forcible felonies from the list to quell some of the Governor’s concerns. Other than this change, the bill remains effectively the same.
Though Florida already offers minors the opportunity to clear their records if they complete the behavioral program, this currently only applies to first-time misdemeanors. Advocates want to expand the law to include most felonies and subsequent arrests.
At the beginning of this year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement estimated that around 27,000 minors would qualify under the new measure. That’s 27,000 people whose lives could be changed for the better—27,000 people who could begin adulthood without the stigma of a criminal record.
Lawmakers are hopeful that removing forcible felonies from the bill will get the governor on board, especially considering that the Florida Police Association has officially voiced its support for the new bill. The bill’s fourth attempt will come to light in the 2022 Legislative Session, which begins mid-January.
If you’re tired of hitting roadblocks in your personal and professional life because of a criminal record, we can help. Sign up for a free background report from Easy Expunctions to see if you qualify for a life-changing expunction!