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Senate hearing on bill to let chiefs use discretion when hiring firefighters with felony records
Summary
Senators heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 362, which would permit municipal fire departments to consider applicants with misdemeanor or felony convictions at the discretion of the fire chief and local hiring processes.
Senator Tony Tezak introduced Senate Bill 362 to the Senate Local Government Committee, asking the panel to allow municipal fire departments discretion to accept applicants with misdemeanor or felony convictions after evaluation.
"At the discretion of the fire chief, an applicant who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may be allowed to qualify as a firefighter," Tezak told the committee, describing the change to current law that he said automatically disqualifies applicants with felony records.
A string of volunteer and career fire officials spoke in support, saying departments face…
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