SENATOR WILSON’S “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING ACT” ADVANCES THROUGH SENATE
Posted: 04/13/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 13, 2010
TALLAHASSEE – A bill sponsored by State Senator Frederica Wilson (D-Miami Gardens), providing that restoration of civil rights cannot be required as a condition of eligibility for public employment, passed the Senate’s Committee on Judiciary today. SB 340, to be cited as the Keep Florida Working Act, facilitates access to employment for ex-offenders, allowing them to make a successful transition back into society and to provide for themselves and their families without compromising public safety.
“I filed this legislation to help more ex-offenders make a successful transition back into society,” said Sen. Wilson. “Ex-offenders face significant barriers when seeking gainful employment, which, in some cases, causes many to become re-offenders. This bill seeks to facilitate an ex-offenders’ access to employment without jeopardizing public safety.”
Conviction of a felony and first-degree misdemeanor may still disqualify a person from public employment if those offenses are directly related to a particular position. Current statutes permitting a government agency to deny a license, permit, or certificate under these conditions will not be changed by this bill. State agencies will also be required to outline current restrictions on the employment of ex-offenders and identify possible alternatives that are compatible with protecting public safety.
The bill, originally introduced by Senator Wilson and the late Senator Jim King, will also allow for a second sealing of a criminal record under certain conditions, require that information on the availability of criminal history record sealing and expunction be placed on the website for each clerk of court, and clarifies how and when a person may lawfully deny arrests covered by a sealed or expunged record.
The legislation passed the Senate unanimously during the 2009 Legislative Session. SB 340 will now be heard in the Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means before being heard on the Senate floor.
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