A North Carolina legislative committee has approved a bill allowing some felons to get a fresh start.  The bill would allow a judge to erase some nonviolent felony convictions, provided the individual meets a series of requirements. 

To get the crimes expunged, 15 years must have passed since the conviction and "good moral character" must be established and vouched for. It also permits probation officers to conduct a background check, district attorneys to contact victims and judges to throw out requests they feel don't have merit.

Proponents argue that the measure gives repentant individuals a second chance and allows them to better contribute to society. But opponents worry that the bill is soft on crime and harms business owners. The bill received some pushback in the House last week when it passed 76-39.

Similar legislation has been attempted for about a decade, but the current incarnation has garnered the key endorsement of the North Carolina Sheriff's Association. The Senate Rules Committee approved the bill Wednesday. It now heads to the full Senate.