HB 424 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Corrections to investigate criminal offenders and recommend to the Board of Pardons and Paroles whether to issue a certificate of qualification for employment or occupational licensing.

• Requires offenders to submit an application with a $50 fee (waivable upon hardship affidavit) and allows applications six months after sentencing.

• Department investigator must complete investigation within 120 days (extendable 30 additional days), consult courts, prosecutors, and victims, and recommend certificates only if granting poses no public safety risk, substantially assists employment, and reduces recidivism likelihood.

• Board of Pardons and Paroles holds hearing and decides within 60 days whether to issue certificate; certificate is permanently revoked if offender is convicted of felony or Class A/B misdemeanor or has probation/parole/supervision revoked.

• Employers hiring certificate holders receive immunity from liability for employee acts or omissions unless employer acted maliciously, with gross negligence, or with intent to cause harm.