On Tuesday, the Missouri House of Representatives Committee on Economic Development heard a pair of Clean Slate bills. HB 2047, sponsored by Representative Marlene Terry (D – St. Louis), and HB 2747, sponsored by Representative Bishop Davidson (R – Republic), would automate the expungement process for a number of non-violent criminal offenses, allowing those with a criminal record to have those past crimes not appear on occupational and housing background checks if that person goes a certain amount of time without reoffending. The crimes eligible for expungement would be limited to a maximum of three felonies and five misdemeanors, and no violent or other serious crimes would be eligible for expungement under the bills’ provisions. Additionally, under Davidson’s bill, judges in capital murder sentencing hearings would lose the ability to unilaterally render a verdict of death in the event the jury cannot unanimously reach a decision.
The MCC has testified in support of these proposals. The bills now await an executive session in which the Economic Development Committee will determine whether the bills will move to the House for a full debate.