Senate Bill 705 - Fresh Start Act of 2021

• Establishes that individuals shall not be disqualified from pursuing occupational or professional licensure solely because of prior criminal convictions, unless the crime directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of that occupation or profession.

• Creates a five-year disqualification period for most criminal convictions (with exceptions for violent or sexual offenses), after which individuals may petition licensing entities for reconsideration if they have not been convicted of additional offenses.

• Designates 12 specific serious crimes as resulting in permanent disqualification for licensure, including capital murder, murder in the first and second degree, kidnapping, rape, sexual assault in the first degree, and arson.

• Requires licensing entities to revise rules within 120 days to explicitly list only disqualifying convictions that are specifically and directly related to each occupation or profession, and prohibits use of vague terms like "moral turpitude" or "good character."

• Establishes new petition and hearing procedures allowing individuals to challenge licensing denials based on criminal records, with licensing entities required to document their determinations and carry the burden of proof in administrative hearings or civil litigation.