Interim study on the impact collateral consequences have on criminal record expungement

This joint resolution requests an interim study on how criminal record expungement affects Montanans' access to housing, employment, and other opportunities. The study will examine practical barriers like online background checks that still show expunged records, legal ambiguities around expunged histories, and discrimination in hiring/housing. It will analyze Montana's current expungement laws, compare them with other states, and evaluate how landlords and employers interpret expunged records. The committee must complete the study by September 2026 and report findings to the 70th Legislature as proposed legislation. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to identify gaps for future policy action.