SB138 Summary

• Amends Alabama law to allow individuals convicted of crimes to petition circuit courts for orders of limited relief from collateral consequences, with courts ruling within 90 days based on factors including offense severity, time elapsed, and rehabilitation evidence.

• Creates a presumption of rehabilitation and fitness for occupational licensing when an order of limited relief is granted, preventing occupational licensing boards from automatically denying applications based on the conviction.

• Prohibits occupational licensing boards from denying licenses based on convictions unrelated to job duties, arrests without conviction, pardoned/sealed convictions, or vague "good moral character" standards.

• Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to issue certificates of employability to incarcerated individuals meeting eligibility criteria including disciplinary record and program completion, to be presented when seeking employment upon release.

• Provides immunity to employers from negligent hiring claims when they knowingly hire individuals with orders of limited relief or certificates of employability, effective October 1, 2025.