Bill > HF3174

This bill expands the ability of the chief judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings to set aside certain permanent disqualifications for background studies, primarily in the context of employment and licensing in sensitive fields like substance use disorder treatment, foster care, and other human services. The bill creates a new pathway for individuals with past criminal records to have their disqualifications reconsidered under specific circumstances, such as when an arrest did not result in a conviction, ten years have passed since sentence completion, the individual's civil right to bear firearms has been restored, or the crime has been pardoned or expunged. However, the chief judge is explicitly prohibited from setting aside disqualifications for serious crimes involving murder, manslaughter, criminal sexual misconduct, or crimes against children. The changes aim to provide a more nuanced approach to evaluating an individual's background, allowing for rehabilitation and second chances while still maintaining strong protections for vulnerable populations. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify the conditions under which background study disqualifications can be reconsidered, giving the chief judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings additional discretion in making these determinations.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3174&ssn=0&y=2025