IL HB3462

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law to require the Department to determine whether an applicant's prior conviction is "directly related" to safely performing job duties, rather than whether it would "impair" their ability to practice

Defines "directly related" as meaning the employment position offers opportunity for the same or similar offense to occur and circumstances leading to the conviction are likely to recur

Prohibits the Department from using vague terms like "good moral character," "moral turpitude," or "character and fitness" when evaluating whether a criminal record disqualifies an applicant for licensure

Expands the list of criminal records that cannot be considered for licensure applications to include nonviolent misdemeanors and convictions older than 3 years (with exceptions for serious felonies like sexual crimes, fraud, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and homicide)

Requires the Department to process license applications from incarcerated individuals without additional delays and allows waiver of certain time limitations for those who were incarcerated at the time of application under the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act