Authorizing the chief judge of each municipal court to establish a specialty court program, providing for expungement when a person has completed the requirements of such program, authorizing judges to waive the fee in expungement cases by reviewing and granting a poverty affidavit and requiring judges to waive the fee for petitions for expungement of municipal arrest records in certain cases.

HB 2655 allows municipal court chief judges in Kansas to establish specialty court programs (like drug or mental health courts) under Supreme Court rules. If a person completes such a program, they can petition their municipal court for expungement of their conviction and related arrest records after three years. The court reviews the petition, considering factors like the person’s recent criminal history and public safety, before granting expungement. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of municipal ordinance violations who successfully complete qualifying specialty court programs.