| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Positive |
Summary: An individual who has completed deferred adjudication probation may, after a period of time, petition the court for an order of nondisclosure. An order of nondisclosure prevents the relevant records from being included in most criminal background searches. SB 977 would expand access to courts for this purpose by allowing individuals to file an application for an order of nondisclosure in person, by mail, or electronically.
Analysis: Experts have noted that there are a significant number of people who have successfully completed deferred adjudication probation but have not petitioned the court for an order of nondisclosure. Nondisclosure can help people to not be stigmatized by their past, and therefore be better able to gain employment and have standing in their community. By increasing access to the courts, more people will be able to petition for, and be granted an order of nondisclosure. We support SB 977.