| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive |
Relating to automatic orders of nondisclosure of criminal history record information for certain misdemeanor defendants following successful completion of a period of deferred adjudication community supervision.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 3601 would entitle an eligible person who completes deferred adjudication community supervision for a first-time offense of certain misdemeanors to an automatic order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information.
At least six months would have to have passed for them to be issued the order. If enacted, the Department of Public Safety would be required to notify the respective courts every month of each person that qualifies for an automatic order. Courts would be required to issue an order of nondisclosure to a person upon receiving notice from the Department. HB 3601 would also remove the fee such a person has to pay when being issued an order of nondisclosure.
Texas Action supports HB 3601 because it would advance individual liberty. The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, such as limited access to housing and employment, should not follow first-time, low-level offenders. HB 3601 would automatically grant nondisclosure orders to certain first-time offenders, thus protecting their liberty and making the consequences of low-level offenses more proportional to the offense.