The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously approved Wednesday legislation that aims to extend second chances for rehabilitated individuals seeking meaningful employment.
”More than one in five jobs require a government-issued license and too often, qualified applicants are denied the right to work because of an old or irrelevant criminal record,” DiSanto said. “My legislation provides balance and predictability to the occupational licensure process so that rehabilitated citizens have a fair chance to reintegrate into our communities.”
Senate Bill 637, introduced by Sens. John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks), would require state licensing boards and commissions to use a common set of rules when considering whether to deny, suspend, or revoke an occupational license based on a criminal conviction.
The proposal would end the practice of blanket prohibitions on job licenses for certain criminal records and eliminate requirements that applicants present “good moral character.”
The bill would also establish a process by which state boards and commissions must publish the convictions determined to be directly related to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the occupation and require individualized assessments of an applicant’s qualifications and fitness to perform the job.
It would also allow individuals who are unsure if their criminal record would prohibit them from obtaining an occupational license to petition a state licensing entity for a preliminary determination before investing time and money into a job training program.
“By helping more individuals access state-issued job licenses in their chosen professions, we will reduce recidivism and promote economic opportunity at a time our commonwealth is in need of a skilled workforce,” DiSanto said.
Senate Bill 637 is supported by the Greater Harrisburg NAACP, the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Community Legal Services, Americans for Tax Reform, the American Civil Liberties Union, Justice Action Network, and other groups.
It now moves to the full Senate for consideration.