The Proposal: 

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Indiana Record Restoration Pathways Act (RRPA-IN)

 

SECTION 1: Title

This Act shall be known as the Indiana Record Restoration Pathways Act (RRPA-IN).

 

SECTION 2: Legislative Findings and Intent

The Indiana General Assembly finds that:
(a) As of 2024, approximately 1 in 7 Hoosiers have a criminal record, creating long-term barriers to housing, employment, licensure, and education.
(b) Current expungement laws in Indiana—while meaningful—can be inaccessible, costly, and limited in providing full relief.
(c) Many individuals who have demonstrated sustained rehabilitation deserve an opportunity for a complete fresh start.
(d) Public safety and economic health are improved when Indiana residents are empowered to reintegrate as productive, contributing members of society.

The intent of this Act is to create structured, merit-based alternatives to traditional expungement, offering a pathway to full record erasure through rehabilitation, service, and personal development.

 

SECTION 3: Establishment of the Record Restoration Pathways Program (RRPP-IN)

(a) The Record Restoration Pathways Program (RRPP-IN) shall be established and administered by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), in coordination with the Indiana Parole Board, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), and local reentry partners.
(b) RRPP-IN shall be voluntary and available to eligible individuals who have completed their sentence and demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation.

 

SECTION 4: Eligibility Criteria

(a) To qualify, an applicant must:
(1) Be a resident of Indiana;
(2) Have completed all terms of incarceration, probation, or parole at least 12 months prior to application;
(3) Have no pending charges or active warrants;
(4) Have demonstrated good conduct post-release;

(b) Exclusions:
Certain violent crimes—including murder, child molestation, and aggravated battery—shall be presumptively excluded but may be reviewed by the Program Oversight Board under extraordinary circumstances.

 

SECTION 5: Personalized Rehabilitation Plans

(a) Accepted participants will collaborate with a licensed RRPP-IN coordinator to create a personalized rehabilitation plan.
(b) Rehabilitation avenues may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• GED or college coursework

• Trade certifications

• Physical health milestones (substance-free milestones, wellness programs)

• Verified volunteer service

• Completion of an Indiana-certified reentry or recovery program

(c) Participants earn rehabilitation credits upon completion of each program component. Total credits required will be based on the severity of the original offense.

 

SECTION 6: Certification and Record Erasure Process

(a) After successful plan completion, participants may petition the Indiana Parole Board for a formal record erasure hearing.
(b) Upon recommendation from the Board, the court shall order the complete and permanent erasure of the eligible convictions—beyond traditional expungement—rendering them as though they never occurred.
(c) All civil rights, including voting and occupational licensure eligibility, shall be restored unless federally restricted.

 

SECTION 7: Oversight and Reporting

(a) A Record Restoration Oversight Committee shall be established, including representatives from:

• IDOC

• FSSA

• The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council

• The Public Defender Commission

• Formerly incarcerated citizens

• Victim advocacy groups

(b) The committee shall produce annual reports evaluating outcomes, including:

• Recidivism rates

• Employment rates of participants

• Fiscal impact

• Community feedback

 

SECTION 8: Severability

If any portion of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 9: Effective Date

This Act shall take effect when we can all agree it makes sense