A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently announced the introduction of legislation in the House and Senate aimed at removing employment barriers for formerly convicted people.
The bills, H.B. 1477 and S.B. 637, would require occupational licensure boards and commissions to use a standard set of rules when deciding whether to deny, suspend or revoke a license based on a criminal conviction. The bill would also direct boards and commissions to only withhold or revoke a license based on convictions that are directly related to the practice of the occupation.
State Reps. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), Democratic whip, and Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), along with state Sens. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin/Perry) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced the introduction of the legislation.
“We simply can’t continue to judge people by their worst day and hold them back from enriching their lives and the lives of others due to mistakes made in the past that have no impact on someone’s ability to do a job,” Harris said. “This is another step forward in helping those with criminal records re-enter the work force and strengthen our economy, and I’m incredibly appreciative to have this discussion today with bipartisan support from my colleagues.”
The bills would also direct boards and commissions to consider the nature of the offense, the amount of time that has passed since the conviction, evidence of the applicant’s fitness to practice the occupation and other relevant factors before withholding or revoking a license.
“More than 1 in 5 jobs require a government license and, too often, qualified applicants are denied the right to work because of an old or irrelevant criminal record,” DiSanto said. “By providing pathways to work, we reduce recidivism and promote economic opportunity at a time our commonwealth is in need of a skilled work force.”