The State Senate, by a voice vote, approved legislation which would establish a hotline for employers interested in hiring individuals with a conviction record.

Senate Bill 169, introduced by the Joint Legislative Council, was developed by the Legislative Council Study Committee on increasing offender employment opportunities.

Senator Mary Felzkowski (Irma), the Chair of the Study Committee, said, “Not only does this bill help our employers at a time when they desperately need workers, more importantly, it paves the way for a former offender to gain stable employment that puts them on the right track …. if a call to this hotline helps ease the concerns of even one employer, it can enable a Wisconsinite looking to reenter society to do so with a much greater chance of success.”

Senator Felzkowski believes there are many employers – both large and small – that are interested in integrating former offenders into their workforce but don’t know where to start.

The hotline will provide a one stop shop for employers where they can learn about incentive programs and how to access resources to assist them with hiring a former offender.

Following passage by the Assembly, Senate Bill 169 has been forwarded to Governor Tony Evers for approval.