The year ahead
New laws in 2027 for people with criminal records
11 changes on our list take effect in 2027, in 10 states and federal law. 7 start on January 1. Every date comes from the law or agency behind it, checked by a second reader.
Updated Nov. 4, 2026. Dates can move if a law is amended or a court steps in; the live countdown updates every day. General information, not legal advice.
- Changes in 2027
- 11
- States
- 10
- Starting Jan. 1
- 7
- Topics
- 5
Where the law changes
- A change takes effect in 202710
- No change on our list41
January 2027
- Jan. 1, 2027
A third DUI within 10 years can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor under AB 1546.
- By Jan. 1, 2027
Colorado's last group of older arrests without a conviction is due to be sealed.
- Jan. 1, 2027
Maryland's law requiring monthly release lists from state prisons, so earlier voter registrations can be restored, takes effect (procedures are due by January 1, 2028).
- By Jan. 1, 2027
Missouri must start automatically expunging eligible drug possession and paraphernalia convictions.
- Jan. 1, 2027
New Hampshire drops the filing fee to annul not guilty, dismissed or not prosecuted cases resolved since 2019.
- Jan. 1, 2027
Oregon raises its felony theft line from $1,000 to $1,500, for thefts on or after that date.
- Jan. 1, 2027
Washington's 2025 fair chance hiring amendments reach employers with fewer than 15 employees.
- Jan. 4, 2027
The Justice Department plans to let 500 more people apply for federal firearm-rights relief and to start the $30 application fee.
October 2027
- By Oct. 1, 2027
D.C.'s deadline for automatic sealing of many non-convictions and older misdemeanor convictions, and automatic expungement of decriminalized offenses and pre-2015 marijuana possession.
November 2027
- By Nov. 1, 2027
Oklahoma's State Bureau of Investigation must begin sealing eligible records automatically.
- By Nov. 16, 2027
New York's courts' deadline to finish Clean Slate sealing of older records.
Questions
Which new laws for people with records take effect in 2027?
11 changes on our list take effect in 2027, in 10 states and federal law. 7 start on January 1. They cover felony lines, record clearing, voting, jobs and firearms. Each is listed on this page with its date and source.
What changes on January 1, 2027?
California: A third DUI within 10 years can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor under AB 1546. Colorado: Colorado's last group of older arrests without a conviction is due to be sealed. Maryland: Maryland's law requiring monthly release lists from state prisons, so earlier voter registrations can be restored, takes effect (procedures are due by January 1, 2028). Missouri: Missouri must start automatically expunging eligible drug possession and paraphernalia convictions. New Hampshire: New Hampshire drops the filing fee to annul not guilty, dismissed or not prosecuted cases resolved since 2019. Oregon: Oregon raises its felony theft line from $1,000 to $1,500, for thefts on or after that date. Washington: Washington's 2025 fair chance hiring amendments reach employers with fewer than 15 employees.
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "New laws in 2027 for people with criminal records" https://secondchanceindex.com/new-laws/2027, checked November 4, 2026.