MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- A bill to allow people to ask a court to seal arrest records so they would not have to be disclosed to potential employers and others was approved today by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said people charged with misdemeanors and some felonies could ask for records to be sealed after the cases are resolved if they are found not guilty, charges are dismissed or a grand jury declines to indict. Those charged with violent felonies or sex offenses would not be eligible.

England, who spoke for the bill at today’s meeting, said people sometimes have career or job opportunities blocked because of arrests even if the charges were dropped or they were found not guilty.

“We want people to get jobs and be employed and try to remove as many barriers as possible, and this will do that,” England said.

The bill, SB 108 by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, had already passed the Senate. The committee changed the bill. If the House approves it, it would have to return to the Senate before becoming law.

Under the bill, if the prosecutor or the victim involved in the charges objects to sealing records, the court would hold a hearing before making a decision.

England said sealed records would be retained, not destroyed.