SACRAMENTO – Legislation to help eliminate barriers to employment for ex-offenders by Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass passed out of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. The bill would require that an individual with an expunged record might receive a license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs as long as the individual doesn’t have additional convictions, it been at least three years since the conviction was dismissed or its been at least five years since the completion of their sentence. 

“Its important that we continue to address the recidivism issue that is plaguing communities throughout the state,” said Majority Leader Bass. “It is a complete contradiction to say that our goal is to rehabilitate someone in order for them to transition back into the community but then limit their ability to obtain viable employment due to unnecessary restrictions. This legislation would reward people who have successfully got their lives back on track.”

The proposal also requires the boards regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs to provide a copy of the criminal history record to all individuals when a decision is made to deny a license or initiate suspension or revocation proceedings based on a criminal record. This would exclude serious offenses including sex offenses.

Assembly Bill 1025 is sponsored by the National Employment Law Project and is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; the Office of Alameda District Attorney Nancy O’Malley; and various organizations. The legislation passed the Committee with a five (favor) to three (opposed) vote and is headed to Senate Appropriations. 

Department of Consumer Affairs issues licenses in more than 100 business and 200 professional categories including security guards, doctors, dentists, contractors, cosmetologists and automotive repair facilities.

Karen Bass has been a State Assembly Member representing Los Angeles’ 47th District since 2005. Speaker Fabian Núñez selected Bass as the Majority Leader for the California State Assembly during the 2007-2008 legislative session, making her the first African American and the first woman to hold this leadership position. As the Assemblymember for the 47th District, Karen Bass serves the cities and communities of Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little Ethiopia and portions of Korea Town and South Los Angeles.