At the end of September, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1262, which would have made it much easier for companies who choose to conduct background checks to retrieve personal information. The bill would have allowed electronic indexes of defendants in criminal cases available bases on a defendant’s date of birth or driver’s license number.
Newson disrupted the bill on the basis of a prior ruling on an individual’s private information. In a letter to the California State Senate, the Governor noted the following:
“This bill would override a 2021 appellate court decision and current court rules that strike a fair balance between public access to court records, public safety, and an individual’s constitutional right to privacy. While this bill may provide for a more convenient process for companies conducting commercial background checks, it would also allow any member of the public to easily access individuals ‘ sensitive personal information online.”
The ruling he mentions, a May 2021 decision in All of Us or None – Riverside Chapter vs. W. Samuel Hamrick, Clerk, had superior courts removing the DOB search field. Governor Newsom’s decision was a step in the right direction in eliminating the stigma of a criminal record and ensuring privacy for California’s residents.
If your criminal record is all-too accessible, and it slowing down your job or home search, we’re here to help. Reach out to Easy Expunctions to see if you qualify for a fast, affordable, and 100% online expunction process!