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Committee advances bill to reduce licensing barriers for people with felony records
Summary
The committee approved a bill that narrows some barriers in state occupational licensing and public hiring for people with felony records; sponsor said the bill aims to increase employment access for returning citizens.
The committee approved a bill intended to reduce barriers for people with felony convictions seeking occupational licenses and for public hiring.
Representative Emily Callaway, R‑37, told the committee the measure reduces some occupational‑licensing and public‑hiring barriers for people reentering the workforce. “We want to get individuals who want to work back to work,” Callaway said, describing the bill as reducing administrative obstacles and increasing transparency in the application process for licensing boards.
Callaway said the bill passed the House unanimously in the previous session. A committee substitute was offered to preserve public‑hiring practices and to respect local government differences; the Committee substitute passed and was folded into the bill before the final committee vote.
Representative Ball asked whether there is a fiscal note; Callaway said there is none and described the change as procedural and not expected to create additional costs. She also explained the bill’s carve‑outs for cities and counties reflect differences in local hiring practices and existing statutory references.
The committee voted to advance the measure to the House floor. Chairman Cook announced the bill had passed in committee; he encouraged the sponsor and the committee as the bill moves forward.
