MS HB1010

Allows persons convicted of nonviolent felonies (excluding embezzlement and crimes of violence) to petition for expungement five years after completing their sentence, with lifetime eligibility limited to one expunction per person.

Prohibits public and private employers from inquiring into or considering an applicant's criminal history until after the applicant is selected for an interview or receives a conditional job offer, with exceptions for the Department of Corrections and employers with statutory background check requirements.

Authorizes an annual tax credit of $2,500 for five years for taxpayers employing persons convicted of a felony who were unemployed for six consecutive months prior to employment, requiring the employee work at least 30 hours per week for at least six consecutive months.

Allows unused tax credits to be carried forward for five consecutive years; the tax credit program repeals January 1, 2023, but taxpayers approved before that date may continue carrying forward credits.

Effective July 1, 2019.