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MD Bill To Keep Criminal Records From Public After Waiting Period

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland measure that would close some nonviolent criminal misdemeanor records from public access after a three- to five-year waiting period is scheduled for hearings.

The legislation known as the Maryland Second Chance Act is scheduled for hearings on Tuesday in the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

The measure would apply to people who have satisfied all the conditions of their sentencing, including parole and probation.

While the records would not be available for public access, they would be available to judicial system officials, law enforcement and employers who are required by law to investigate job applicants' criminal backgrounds.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.