SB 2771: Expanding Fresh Start

Senate Bill 2771, authored by Senator Daniel Sparks, updates the Fresh Start Act to clarify how criminal history is used in occupational licensing decisions.  

The bill ensures that people are not automatically disqualified from pursuing or holding a professional license solely because of past convictions unless those convictions are directly relevant to the responsibilities of the profession. Clear standards and procedural safeguards help boards make consistent, fair decisions while protecting the public. SB 2771 also allows a prospective licensee, before spending time and money to be trained in the profession, to ask the relevant board if his or her particular record would keep be from being approved, and it improves transparency by requiring documented findings and a formal petition process. 

Empower Mississippi supports this legislation. 

SB 2771 has been referred to the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee.