BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 91

By: White

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the obstacles to reentering the workforce for a person with a criminal history. Interested parties assert that providing for a successful transition from the prison system into the workforce may achieve a reduced recidivism rate among certain offenders. H.B. 91 seeks to provide for such a transition by requiring each licensing authority that has an eligibility requirement relating to an applicant's criminal history to review that criminal history requirement.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 91 requires each licensing authority, for each license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authorization issued by the authority that an individual must obtain to practice or engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession that has an eligibility requirement related to an applicant's criminal history, to review the criminal history requirement and make a recommendation regarding whether the requirement should be retained, modified, or repealed. The bill requires each licensing authority, not later than December 1, 2018, to submit a report on the results of the authority's review to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature and include the authority's recommendations. The bill expires January 1, 2019.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.