The proposed bill, HB238, amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to improve employment opportunities for individuals with criminal convictions. It establishes a presumption of fitness for occupational licensure for those who have received an order of limited relief and provides immunity for employers who hire these individuals. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is mandated to issue a certificate of employability to certain individuals upon their release from parole, facilitating their reintegration into the workforce. However, the bill specifies that individuals required to register as sex offenders or those convicted of violent offenses are ineligible for an order of limited relief. It also allows courts to consider various factors when ruling on petitions for limited relief and clarifies that such an order creates a presumption of rehabilitation.

Additionally, the bill modifies the occupational licensing process by preventing boards from denying applications based on certain criteria, including non-related criminal convictions and expunged or pardoned offenses. It requires boards to evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the nature of the crime and evidence of rehabilitation. The bill introduces a mechanism for individuals to request a determination from licensing boards regarding their eligibility based on criminal history, with a response required within 30 days. It also deletes previous provisions that mandated automatic denial of applications based on criminal convictions when a valid order of limited relief was issued, thereby enhancing opportunities for individuals with past convictions to obtain professional licenses. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-26-7, 12-26-9, 41-9A-1, 41-9A-2
Engrossed: 12-26-7, 12-26-9, 41-9A-1, 41-9A-2