Senate Bill 645 Summary

• Requires state occupational licensing entities to establish procedures allowing individuals convicted of or pleading guilty/nolo contendere to felony or misdemeanor offenses to appeal for license reinstatement if the offense involved substance abuse, mental illness, or was nonviolent.

• Permits licensing authorities to consider multiple factors when evaluating reinstatement appeals, including time since conviction, type of license, occupation, employment history, education since offense, and recovery status for substance-related crimes.

• Exempts professional licensure boards that already comply with the spirit and intent of this provision from the new requirements.

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective immediately upon passage and approval.