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 granted an order of limited relief and provides immunity to employers who hire these individuals. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is mandated to issue a certificate of employability to eligible individuals upon their release from parole, facilitating their reintegration into the workforce. The bill also introduces a structured process for occupational licensing boards to evaluate disqualifications based on criminal history, while deleting previous provisions that allowed automatic denials of applications based on such convictions.

Key changes include the deletion of specific language regarding the circuit clerk's role in serving petitions and the introduction of new eligibility criteria for limited relief, which excludes individuals required to register as sex offenders or those convicted of violent offenses. The bill requires licensing boards to consider various factors on a case-by-case basis when assessing the relevance of a conviction to the profession and mandates that boards publish their standards online. Additionally, it allows individuals to request a determination of their licensure eligibility, with boards required to respond within 30 days. The bill aims to balance the facilitation of employment for individuals with criminal records while addressing public safety concerns, and it 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