The House Business and Utilities Subcommittee recently reviewed House Bill 2248—the Fresh Start Act—and NFIB/TN called upon lawmakers to vote yes.
The full House Business & Utilities is scheduled to hear its bill this Wednesday. The Senate Commerce & Labor Committee passed the Senate version last week and should be on the floor Thursday.
Here’s a look at how this bill would support small business, competition, and job creation in Tennessee.
Under the bill, state licensing boards would only be allowed to deny issuing occupational licenses to people with a criminal history if their past crimes are directly related to the job they’re seeking. For those who committed a crime that is unrelated to the professional they wish to join, they would get a fresh start. License applicants would also be able to petition the licensing board upfront to determine whether a past crime would disqualify them from obtaining a license so that they wouldn’t have to spend the time and money obtaining educational requirements for a license that they would be denied. If someone is denied a license, the bill would also create a way for these decisions to be appealed.
The bill also clarifies that these rights would not be available to individuals who commit certain class felonies in certain professions in order to protect the public.
NFIB/TN supports the bill because it’s in the vein of the Right to Earn a Living Act and removes the barriers for individuals seeking to enter professions.
