中國《治安管理處罰法》最終修訂版正式出爐，對治安違法記錄的封存制度作出明確規定。此前一審稿規定對未滿十八周歲的違法者，其違法記錄應予封存且不得向任何單位和個人提供，但最終修訂版進一步明確，無論成年人還是未成年人，其治安違法記錄都將徹底封存，未經有權機關依照法定程序，這些記錄不得隨意披露或查詢。此次法律修訂將違法記錄封存制度正式入法，被認為是治安管理領域的一大進步，標誌著中國在保障公民隱私與合法權益方面邁出重要一步。

對於吸毒、嫖娼、酒駕等行為的記錄，封存制度尤其具有實際意義。根據修訂條文，自2026年1月1日起，此類違法記錄將不再在網絡上公開，也不再與其他部門共享。相關記錄只能由依法有權的機關在辦案或依照國家規定的正式查詢程序中使用，且查詢單位必須對封存的違法信息保密。這意味著個人過往的治安違法行為不再影響其日常生活和社會信用，對於曾有過此類記錄的公民而言，是一次法律上的保障與救濟。

據中國國家統計局數據顯示，2023年公安機關共查處治安案件788.1萬件，2019年至2023年間，每年查處治安案件數量均在約800萬件左右。如此龐大的案件基數下，封存制度的落實將有效防止大量個人違法信息被無限制披露，保護公民隱私安全，也促進社會公平與法治秩序。

依據《治安管理處罰法》第136條規定，違反治安管理的記錄應當封存，不得向任何單位和個人提供或公開，但有關國家機關辦案需要或依國家規定進行查詢的除外。依法查詢的單位需對封存的違法記錄保密。這一制度的完善，標誌著中國治安管理從“記錄懲戒”向“依法保護與動態管理”邁出重要一步。

China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law has been officially revised, introducing clear regulations on the sealing of public security violation records. In the draft first reviewed, the law stipulated that records of violations committed by individuals under 18 should be sealed and not disclosed to any organization or individual. The final revision goes further, ensuring that the violation records of both adults and minors will be completely sealed. Without authorization by a competent authority and following legal procedures, these records cannot be disclosed or accessed at will. The formal codification of the sealing system represents a major step forward in public security law, highlighting China’s efforts to protect citizens’ privacy and legal rights.

The sealing system has particular significance for records of drug use, prostitution, drunk driving, and similar offenses. Starting January 1, 2026, such violation records will no longer be publicly accessible online or shared across departments. These records may only be accessed by authorized agencies for official investigative purposes or under legally prescribed procedures. Furthermore, any agency conducting such access is required to maintain strict confidentiality. This change ensures that past public security violations will no longer unduly affect citizens’ daily lives or social credit, providing important legal protection and relief for those previously recorded.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2023, public security authorities handled 7.881 million administrative cases, with annual cases from 2019 to 2023 consistently around 8 million. Given this large volume of cases, the implementation of the sealing system will prevent the uncontrolled disclosure of personal violation records, safeguard individual privacy, and promote fairness and the rule of law.

Under Article 136 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, records of public security violations must be sealed and cannot be provided or disclosed to any organization or individual, except when required by competent national authorities for official investigations or in accordance with state regulations. Agencies legally accessing these records must keep them strictly confidential. The establishment and formalization of this system mark an important shift in China’s public security administration from a “punitive record-keeping” approach toward “legal protection and dynamic management.”