Delozier, Harris Propose Reforms to Occupational Licensure

May 22, 2019

HARRISBURG – Reps. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), who have partnered to spearhead sweeping criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania, are now teaming up to modernize the methods by which boards license and certify professionals with criminal records.

The representatives have introduced House Bill 1477, which would ensure the boards overseeing licensure for 30 occupations are using fair, consistent methods.

“Sometimes people make stupid mistakes in their youth,” Delozier said. “The Clean Slate Act we passed last year clears their criminal records of nonviolent offenses after 10 years without a subsequent arrest. Our latest initiative will ensure licensure for employment isn’t a barrier to an ex-offender re-entering the workforce, unless his or her conviction is directly related to the profession.”

“We simply can’t continue to judge people by their worst day and hold them back from enriching their lives and the lives of others due to mistakes made in the past that have no impact on someone’s ability to do a job,” Harris said. “This is another step forward in helping those with criminal records re-enter the work force and strengthen our economy and I’m incredibly appreciative to have this discussion today with bipartisan support from my colleagues.”

House Bill 1477, which has more than 30 cosponsors for both sides of the aisle, would amend the Criminal History Record Information Act.

Representative Sheryl Delozier
88th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com
RepDelozier.com / Facebook.com/RepDelozier