Bills Would Allow Expungements For More Offenses
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Some of Maryland's senators are impatient for a law that would let people get certain felonies, or at least a greater range of misdemeanors, cleared off their records.
Bills on this subject have failed in recent years. In a committee hearing Wednesday, Sen. Jamie Raskin said it was time to "bite the bullet" and make a decision.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Joan Conway allows expungement for most felonies other than murder, kidnapping, and sexual crimes. Others sponsored by Sens. Lisa Gladden and Ulysses Currie allow expungements for most or all misdemeanors.
Current state law only allows expungements for "nuisance" misdemeanors, such as urinating in public.
In Maryland, felon status can bar people from getting licenses as barbers, cosmetologists or electricians, among other professions, and can hurt their college applications.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)