DE HB171

Establishes certificates of rehabilitation issued by the Department of Correction to remove statutory bars to employment, housing, and professional licenses for individuals with criminal convictions.

Applies to eligible offenders (convicted persons not sentenced to incarceration) and eligible serious offenders (persons with felony convictions who served time in Delaware Department of Corrections or out-of-state residents with convictions).

Prohibits public agencies and private employers from denying licenses or employment based on criminal history unless there is a direct relationship between the offense and the position, or the employment poses unreasonable risk to safety or property.

Requires public agencies and private employers to consider eight specified factors including time elapsed since conviction, age at time of offense, rehabilitation evidence, and the offense's severity when evaluating applicants with criminal records.

Mandates all licensing authorities and the Department of Corrections to report annually to the General Assembly on certificate applications, denials, grants, and licenses awarded to applicants with conviction histories.