Remove Barriers to Employment for Ex-Offenders

Prohibit blanket employment bans. In many circumstances, criminal records are not relevant to hiring decisions and should not be considered. Ten states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin—prevent occupational licensing agencies and employers from considering arrests that did not lead to convictions in hiring decisions. An additional three states—Arkansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico—prohibit this consideration for selected employers only.[1]

Lift bars on occupational licensure. Some states prohibit the denial of occupational licenses based on criminal records in selected circumstances, as well as providing documented means for individuals with past convictions to demonstrate rehabilitation. Half of all states specify that there must be a "direct," "rational," or "reasonable" relationship between the criminal conviction and the license sought in order for a denial of licensure. Nine states—Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, New Jersey and New York—offer restoration of civil rights and/or certificates of rehabilitation for the purposes of employment and/or occupational licensure.[2]