In August, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued Executive Order 36, which establishes the Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together Initiative (Stand Tall Initiative). This initiative, it says, is the “first-in-the-nation proactive, dynamic, data-driven and comprehensive across-government approach, to […]
Category Archives: Laws
States continue to loosen occupational licensing law restrictions for those with criminal records
Roughly one-quarter of the jobs in the U.S. require some type of occupational licensing, a number that has quadrupled since the 1950s. And many states deny those with criminal records a chance to obtain a license for various types of […]
New California law — Assembly Bill No. 2147 — helps inmate firefighters gain employment once released
California’s inmate firefighters, who have risked their lives for little pay fighting some of the worst fires in the state’s history, will now upon release be able to gain employment in jobs, including firefighting, that require occupational licensing. This comes […]
Inability to obtain occupational licensing helps prevent ex-offenders from getting jobs
As if those leaving prison and jails don’t have enough problems finding employment, there’s one more challenge they face. An estimated total of at least one-quarter of all U.S. jobs require some type of licensing. And people with criminal records […]
Illinois and New Hampshire laws aid victims of human trafficking
New laws passed in recent months in Illinois and New Hampshire will help victims of human trafficking begin to mend themselves and get their lives back together. Many trafficked victims, especially those trafficked for sex, are tattooed with what looks […]
Reauthorization of Second Chance Act can help reduce recidivism
In an effort that shows tremendous bipartisan support, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced legislation last month to reauthorize the Second Chance Act. An identical bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Jim […]