HB 961 - Keep Florida Working Act

• State agencies and regulatory boards must submit reports by December 31, 2010 and every 8 years thereafter identifying restrictions on licensing and employment for ex-offenders and evaluating whether such restrictions are too broad.

• State agencies may not deny applications for licenses, permits, certificates, or employment based solely on an applicant's lack of civil rights, except for concealed weapons licenses under chapter 790.

• Employers conducting criminal background investigations must review results and ensure employees with criminal records are not assigned to work where similar criminal conduct would be facilitated.

• Persons with expunged or sealed criminal records may legally deny the existence of those records in most contexts, including employment applications, except for positions with criminal justice agencies, law enforcement, education, child care, and other sensitive roles.

• Courts may seal a criminal history record after a prior sealing or expunction if the person has not been arrested in the 5-year period following the initial order; clerks of court must post information on their websites about procedures to seal or expunge criminal records.