Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday signed a package of "life-saving" bills changing New Jersey's criminal record expungement system.

The three measures, which were approved by the Democratic Legislature earlier this month, are designed to remove barriers for past offenders by shortening waiting times for records to be scrubbed and strengthening the state's "ban the box" law.

Christie, a Republican who leaves office next month after two terms, hailed the bills' sponsors at a bill-signing ceremony and touted their passage as another example of his bipartisan achievements on criminal justice. He's also enacted bail reform, made drug courts a requirement for non-violent offenders and converted Mid-State Correctional Facility into a drug-treatment center for prisoners.

"These bills represent second chances that will now be even more meaningful for folks going through our criminal justice system," Christie said. "Expungement has to be an option that's available for those who have earned it and deserve it, and this legislation will allow people to get that."

More:Lawmakers pass bills to make life easier for New Jerseyans with criminal records

One bill, S-3306, strengthens the "ban the box" law Christie signed three years ago by adding prohibitions on employers asking about a job candidate's criminal record, including an expunged record. Christie said that allows the applicant to provide their own history during a job interview rather than being judged ahead of time.

Another bill, S-3307, shortens the waiting period, from 10 years to 6, to apply for a record expungement and allows someone to apply for up to four offenses, instead of three, to be expunged that happened "within a short time frame" if that person hasn't been convicted of a subsequent offense. The bill also shortens the eligibility waiting period for a person to apply for expungement if his or her only remaining barrier is paying a fine or restitution, and if a court finds the expungement is in the public interest.

The third bill, S-3308, decreases the waiting period for a young adult to expunge their juvenile record from five years to three.

"This legislation is not just a piece of legislation that comes from the head, it comes from the heart," Christie said.

More:Christie: Murphy posing for photo sends a 'terrible message'

More:NJ Elections: Phil Murphy starts building his team, meets with Chris Christie

Christie was joined at the bill signing by Democratic bill sponsors, including Senate President Stephen Sweeney; Sen. Sandra Cunningham; Sen. Ray Lesniak; Sen. Teresa Ruiz; Sen. Shirley Turner; Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly; former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who leads a criminal re-entry program; and attorney Larry Lustberg, who is heavily involved in criminal justice issues.

Christie gave explicit praise to Cunningham, whom he called a friend from his time as U.S. Attorney beginning in 2002. He had worked with her throughout the past year on the legislation, and said the bills have Cunningham's "fingerprints all over it."

"This could not have been done without her perseverance and her persistence," Christie said.

In a joint statement, bill sponsors said minor offenses should not lead to a lifetime of punishment and that the new laws give past offenders an opportunity to reclaim their lives.

"These laws are about removing barriers for residents and helping them to overcome the obstacles that exist in finding employment, taking care of their families and setting their lives on the right path,” Cunningham said.