MULTNOMAH COUNTY – On June 1, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 519, which builds upon previous juvenile expunction reform efforts. On June 6 Governor Tina Kotek signed the bill, which Youth, Rights, and Justice championed with bipartisan support of many juvenile justice advocates, agencies, and district attorney offices.
“This bill ensures Oregonians who made mistakes when they were teens have opportunities for jobs, housing, and education so they can be successful in adulthood. We are grateful to Sen. Dembrow for championing this important work,” stated YRJ Executive Director Heather Busby.
SB 519, sponsored by Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), was drafted with input from a multidisciplinary workgroup of juvenile justice stakeholders. The bill expands the availability of automatic expunction for certain violations and misdemeanors and aligns the appointment of counsel in expunction matters with the intent to eliminate fees in juvenile matters. Additionally, the bill shortens the waiting period for court-mandated expunctions from five to four years.
In 2021, the Oregon Legislature took the first step toward reforming juvenile expunction by passing SB 575., which automated the expunction of certain juvenile records. The bill also allowed individuals to access court-appointed counsel at the beginning of the expunction process instead of requiring them to wait.
SB 519 takes effect 91 days after the regular sessions ends.
To learn more about how juvenile records limit success and what Youth, Rights & Justice is doing to help, check out this video.