Working alongside criminal justice reform efforts, Representative Zack Taylor’s House Bill 1373 would allow felons to access certain professional licenses. The “Fresh Start” occupational license reform bill won House approval this week.
Taylor wants to help non-violent, non-sex crime offenders stay out of prison by providing a pathway to work.
“This allows people who have made some mistakes to still be able to re-enter the work force, to take care of themselves and their families and to contribute to their communities,” Taylor said. “This also helps reduce the chance that people who have paid their debt to society will end up back in prison.”
HB 1373 requires the state entity issuing an occupational license to list the specific crimes which would disqualify an applicant. If a person stays out of trouble for five years after leaving prison for a non-violent, non-sexual crime, the disqualification would no longer be valid.
