GA SB207

Creates a preclearance process allowing individuals with criminal records to petition licensing boards for a predetermination of whether their record will disqualify them from licensure, including while incarcerated

Requires licensing boards to prove a "direct relationship" between criminal convictions and the licensed occupation before denying a license, replacing the vague "moral turpitude" standard with a defined "covered misdemeanor" category

Prohibits boards from considering certain criminal records including: discharged first offender treatment, sealed/pardoned convictions, juvenile adjudications, misdemeanors older than five years (with exceptions), and convictions where incarceration ended more than five years ago (except for serious felonies like sexual offenses, murder, kidnapping, and arson)

Mandates annual reporting by licensing boards to the Secretary of State on application statistics, including racial/ethnic distribution of applicants with criminal records and outcomes

Expands criminal record restriction eligibility for pardoned individuals and allows petitions to restrict misdemeanor convictions to be filed under seal; effective dates are July 1, 2025 (general provisions) and January 1, 2026 (licensing provisions)