SB3517 Summary: Criminal History in College Applications Act

• Prohibits colleges from inquiring about or considering an applicant's criminal history until after issuing a provisional offer of admission based solely on academic performance and published criteria.

• Allows colleges using third-party multi-institution applications to include criminal history questions, but must not consider responses until after a provisional offer and must publish a prominent statement that applicants are not required to answer pre-admission.

• Permits colleges to withdraw or rescind a provisional offer only if prior convictions demonstrate a detrimental impact on campus safety or security, with applicants presumed eligible unless proven otherwise through individualized assessment.

• Requires colleges to provide applicants an opportunity to submit mitigating circumstances or clarifying information, establish an expedited appeals process, and use less restrictive measures before denying admission or restricting campus participation.

• Allows colleges to inform prospective applicants on their website about how criminal records may affect professional licenses or employment, with a confidential contact for questions whose information is not shared with admissions staff.