Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, plans to refile a bill in 2025 to help convicted felons reenter the workforce. While the bill passed the House nearly unanimously in March, it did not receive a vote in the Senate. The bill largely focuses on the steps employers would be required to take when considering applications from convicted felons.
Callaway informed the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity of her plans during the group’s Tuesday meeting. She said she believes an updated version of the legislation could potentially help 32,000 Kentuckians find meaningful employment.
Earlier this year, Callaway filed House Bill 124, which would require employers to inform potential employees if their criminal history would prevent them from working in a job that requires a professional license. This would happen prior to moving further in the application process or seeking the licensure, according to Callaway.
“This significantly reduces the risk assumed by the people who are interested in pursuing work in licensed fields but are uncertain whether their criminal history will ultimately result in a denial,” Callaway said on Tuesday.
HB 124 passed the House by a 95-1 vote in March, but did not receive a vote from the Senate before the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned for the year. In order to be reconsidered in 2025, Callaway will have to refile the legislation, which she says will have minimal changes compared to the 2024 version.
Callaway said one of her goals is to promote transparency.
“All of this will be upfront and before an individual goes through the process of education and any other pursuit of that career. They know what they’re getting into,” Callaway added.
Additionally, the legislation would require hiring authorities and licensing boards to give the convicted felon applicant reasonable consideration, she said. The bill would ensure the licensure board and employer have details on the applicant’s conviction and rehabilitation.
“Reviewing these details during the application process will greatly reduce the number of appeals for denials and will encourage employers to hire these ambitious applicants due to a more thorough vetting process during the application process,” Callaway said.
Callaway said the legislation will benefit society.
“We want to get people who want to work back in society … This will maintain increased public safety, but it also gives citizens legitimate opportunity for well-established employment, not just a job,” Callaway said. “It does obviously boost our economy by allowing people back into our workforce.”
Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, said she supports Callaway’s bill.
“We need a trained workforce,” Berg said. “… This is a win, win, win.”
Co-chair Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, said she and Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington, have discussed what policy recommendations the commission might make leading into the 2025 session.
“What we want to do is create more access and opportunity, and this legislation fits that,” Bledsoe said. “I applaud your efforts and look forward to supporting you.”
Callaway said several organizations across the state are working to help convicted felons find employment post-incarceration, but this legislation would help remove additional barriers.
“This does take all of us working together,” Callaway said. “I’m really excited to hear you all having these conversations, because I rarely meet somebody who doesn’t know someone – it’s usually a family member – that’s been affected by some kind of criminal record. Anything we can do to help them and get them back into society and stop creating that kind of stigma, I’m excited to do so.”
The Kentucky General Assembly cannot take action on legislation until the 2025 legislative session begins on January 7.
The next Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity meeting is scheduled for October 22 at 1 p.m.
The commission is a statutory committee comprised of select Kentucky legislators and citizen members who study issues related to education, health, economic opportunity, justice, and other sectors to identify areas of improvement in providing services and opportunities for minority communities.
Information from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.
