The Arkansas Senate on Thursday sent to the governor legislation that would speed the time it takes for courts to grant a request to seal a criminal record.
The Senate voted 35-0 to approve House Bill 1016 by Rep. Sarah Capp, R-Ozark.
The measure would allow judges to grant uniform petitions to seal a criminal record 30 days after the prosecutor was served with the petition. Under current law, courts must wait at least 90 days.
[RELATED: Complete Democrat-Gazette coverage of the Arkansas Legislature]
Capp has said that the bill would help people reintegrate into society, and that she was unaware of anyone who opposed the bill.
-- Michael R. Wickline