Bill To Expunge Certain Arrest Records For Minors Passes Unanimously

Tallahassee, FL – A bill passed unanimously in the Florida House would allow minors to have certain arrest records expunged if they have completed diversion programs. Presently under Florida law, minors can only have misdemeanor offenses expunged from their records if they complete some kind of diversion program. HB 195, introduced by Rep. David Smith (R-Winter Springs), would instead allow minors to expunge certain felony offenses, except for forcible felonies and felonies that involve firearms. Rep. Michele Rayner (R-St. Petersburg), who is also a lawyer, spoke on the bill and said it gives a lot of her younger clients hope, as they were typically concerned with what happens after they finish a diversion program. “You’ve given a lot of children their futures back,” said Rayner. Also passed unanimously was HB 197, also introduced by Smith. That bill will exempt minors with expunged records from public records requests. Two other similar bills, SB 342 & 344, are still awaiting action from the state Senate.