Bill > H348

This bill aims to increase employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records by restricting how licensing authorities can consider criminal history when making licensing decisions. The key provisions include: - Prohibiting licensing authorities from automatically barring individuals with criminal records from professional or occupational licenses, and instead requiring them to conduct an individualized assessment considering factors like the age of the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, and the direct relationship between the conviction and the duties of the occupation. - Establishing a process for individuals to petition licensing authorities in advance to determine if their criminal record would disqualify them from a license, with binding decisions in most cases. - Restricting the use of vague terms like "good moral character" and instead requiring a direct relationship between disqualifying convictions and the duties of the occupation. - Amending various professional licensing statutes to align with the new standards for considering criminal history. - Requiring employers to conduct an individualized assessment before denying employment based on a criminal record, and to provide written reasons for any denial. The overall goal is to remove unnecessary barriers to employment for those with criminal records, while still allowing licensing authorities to protect public safety where there is a direct connection between a conviction and the duties of a profession.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H348