HB 2870 Summary

• Creates the Inmate Certificate of Rehabilitation Act allowing courts and supervisory authorities to issue certificates that suspend employment and licensing disqualifications for certain convicted offenders.

• Prohibits state, county, and municipal entities from discriminating against applicants based solely on criminal convictions; requires written explanation of how a conviction relates to the position sought, considering factors such as crime severity, rehabilitation efforts, and time elapsed.

• Authorizes courts to issue certificates at sentencing for nonviolent offenders and allows parole/probation supervisors to issue certificates for those under supervision who meet specified criteria including no pending charges and demonstrated rehabilitation.

• Certificates become invalid if recipient is convicted of a violent crime and may be revoked by district attorneys or supervisory authorities if circumstances change; knowingly using a revoked certificate is a misdemeanor.

• Effective November 1, 2012.