Expunction - As introduced, reduces the time period following completion of the sentence imposed before which a person may file a petition for expunction from five years for a misdemeanor or Class E felony and 10 years for a Class C or D felony to one year since completion of the sentence imposed for the offense the person is seeking to have expunged. - Amends TCA Section 40-32-101.

HB 451 would change Tennessee's expunction law by shortening the waiting period to clear certain criminal records. Currently, people convicted of misdemeanors or Class E felonies must wait 5 years after finishing their sentence before petitioning to expunge the record, and 10 years for Class C or D felonies. This bill would reduce that waiting period to just one year for all these offenses, making it easier for affected individuals to seek record clearance. The change applies to anyone seeking expunction under Tennessee Code §40-32-101.