The information was gathered through extensive library research in State codes and a survey of officials in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Section one provides an overview of State criminal history record laws and examines their requirements regarding data quality and noncriminal justice access and use. Section two defines 28 subject categories of the laws and regulations that are classified in the compendium's tables, including the right of individuals to inspect their criminal records, purging of nonconviction information, research access, accuracy and completeness, and training of employees. Section three contains summary tables showing trends and developments in criminal justice law and policy by classification category. Summary tables by State, along with a listing of the titles of the State codes, complete the compendium. (Publisher summary modified)