House Bill No. by Representative Mena proposes significant changes to the employment regulations for ambulance personnel with criminal records in Louisiana. The bill enacts R.S. 40:1203.3(F) and repeals the existing provisions in R.S. 40:1203.3(A) through (C), which previously prohibited the hiring of individuals with certain criminal convictions, including serious offenses such as murder and rape. The new law stipulates that individuals cannot be disqualified from employment solely based on a prior criminal record unless the conviction directly relates to the job they are seeking.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific criteria that employers and licensing authorities must consider when evaluating whether a criminal conviction is relevant to the position. These criteria include the nature and seriousness of the offense, the specific duties of the job, the time elapsed since the conviction, any relevant circumstances surrounding the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation. This legislative change aims to provide a more equitable hiring process for individuals with criminal histories while still allowing employers to make informed decisions based on the nature of the offenses.

Statutes affected:
HB265 Original: 40:3(F), 40:3(A)