Representative Derek Grier (R-Chesterfield) is not pursuing another term in the Missouri House. Before the close of his last session he said goodbye to his colleagues, staff, and constituents.
“I am so grateful to each one of you. There are so many good people here in this room; so many people that care deeply about our state, that care deeply about each other, too.”
The Missouri House voted to make it easier for people with criminal records to reintegrate into society by getting a job, and to save them from working toward getting a job only to find out after much time, effort, and expense that their offenses will disqualify them.
Representative Derek Grier (photo; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
The House has passed the “Fresh Start Act of 2019,” House Bill 564. It would keep people from being barred from a job for committing crimes that have no relation to the work of that job.
Grier said Missourians now must be licensed in order to work in one out of 5 jobs. He said while licensure is supposed to be about protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of the public, industry groups have turned it into something of a “protectionist strategy.”
Supporters of HB 564 said the proposal falls in line with other criminal justice reforms the legislature has put forward in recent years, as well as other efforts to fight recidivism.
Springfield representative Steve Helms (R) said what Missouri is doing now, in the cases of people who come off of a prison term and pursue the education needed for a specific job, is contradictory.
Those convicted of crimes that are not violent or sexual in nature cannot be disqualified from an occupation for more than five years unless they re-offend in that time. Those with convictions can petition a licensing authority about whether they are eligible for licensure and the authority must respond within 30 days after meeting, and not more than four months after getting the petition.
The bill does not apply to peace officers or law enforcement personnel.
The House voted 151-1 to send the bill to the Senate.