The proposed bill aims to establish a Certificate of Employability for individuals with felony convictions, allowing both the Division of Correction and circuit courts to issue these certificates. The Division of Correction is mandated to issue a certificate to prisoners who meet specific criteria, including successful completion of educational or vocational programs while incarcerated, maintaining a clean disciplinary record for the year prior to release, and passing a job skills assessment. The certificate will be issued upon release and remains valid unless revoked due to subsequent felony convictions or other specified reasons. Additionally, the bill outlines the process for revocation, grievance opportunities for individuals whose certificates are revoked, and the public record status of these certificates.

Circuit courts are also empowered to issue certificates of employability to individuals with felony or misdemeanor convictions who petition for them. The courts must notify the prosecuting attorney prior to hearings and can impose conditions on the issuance of the certificate. Similar to the Division of Correction, the courts can revoke certificates if the individual is convicted of a felony post-issuance or if material misrepresentation is found in the petition. The bill further clarifies that a certificate of employability can be used as evidence in negligence claims and does not exempt individuals from certain legal requirements, such as sex offender registration or licensing issues related to substance use disorders.