Criminal Records Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Amends the length of time a conviction is treated as not needing disclosure under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Alters when convictions become spent and therefore what must be disclosed in various contexts such as work, volunteering, and other activities.
• Aims to reduce barriers to employment and normal life for people who have completed rehabilitation while safeguarding public safety.
• Applied to individuals with prior convictions and the rules around background checks and disclosures may change accordingly.
• Originates in the House of Lords and is currently at the 2nd reading, with further parliamentary stages to follow if it progresses.

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Lords, an early stage of scrutiny; if it passes this stage, it will proceed to Committee stage and then further readings before potentially moving to the House of Commons.