AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 8081 would require law enforcement agencies to consider expunged criminal records when reviewing applications for pistol or revolver licenses. This directly affects individuals who have had criminal records expunged (legally erased from public records) but are applying for firearm permits. The key provision changes how agencies use expunged records during background checks for firearm licenses, meaning these records would no longer be fully hidden from the licensing process. The bill does not alter expungement eligibility or the expungement process itself, only the use of expunged records in firearm permit decisions.