SPONSOR: Toalson Reisch
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Special Committee on Criminal Justice by a vote of 8 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 7 to 0.
This bill provides that the supervisor of liquor control shall not prohibit a person from participating in the sale of alcohol solely on the basis of being found guilty of a felony offense. The bill also repeals language requiring an employer that has a liquor license to report to the Division of Liquor Control within the Department of Public Safety the identity of any employee that has been convicted of a felony.
The bill specifies that the Missouri Gaming Commission will not prohibit a person from participating in the sale of lottery tickets solely on the basis of being found guilty of a criminal offense, but the person is not eligible to be a licensed lottery game retailer.
This bill is similar to HCS HB 189 (2019).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill lessens regulations on employers and gives felons a second chance. Currently, when felons are released from incarceration and obtain employment in certain industries, employers are required to submit a form to Department of Public Safety to notify the department that the employer is employing a convicted felon. Other industries are supportive of this legislation because it expands the pool they can hire from.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Toalson Reisch; Missouri Petroleum Marketers Association; American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri; Connor Kerrigan, Empower Missouri; and Missouri Catholic Conference.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Statutes affected: