Event to highlight legislation to reform licensing

STATE HOUSE – Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) and Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) will be joined by advocates from the Coalition for Fair Chance Licensing today for an event highlighting their licensing reform legislation.

Thursday, April 11, at 3 p.m, Senator Metts, Representative Slater and the Coalition for Fair Chance Licensing will have their Fair Chance Licensing Campaign Kick-Off at the Senate Lounge, State House

It is well established that the path to stability for people caught up in the criminal justice system is through employment, yet after meeting all of the demands of a criminal sentence—incarceration, probation, drug and/or mental health counseling, fines and restitution—people have difficulty finding work because of the mark of a criminal record. This long-term barrier to employment begs the question: When does a sentence end?

More and more jobs now require an active license or certification. Over 150 state occupational licensing laws in Rhode Island (and hundreds of additional regulations) prevent people with criminal records from pursuing a wide range of careers, or put unnecessary roadblocks on the path to stable employment. Careers impacted by licensing restrictions include: certain contracting jobs, plumbing and pipe-fitting, real estate jobs, insurance industry jobs, taxi driving/driving for hire, certain jobs in sales, barber/hairdresser, cosmetology and many careers in health care.

Legislation (2019-S 0610, 2019-H 5863) sponsored by Senator Metts and Representative Slater will help remedy this situation.