Policy Resolution LJE-15-09

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has a long history of supporting meaningful reentry and rehabilitation opportunities for citizens returning from incarceration to their homes and communities;

WHEREAS, individuals should be allowed to move forward from their past offenses and successfully reintegrate into society given the right circumstances;

WHEREAS, sealing or limiting access to criminal records is an important step in giving people a second chance and helping reformed offenders to become productive members of society;

WHEREAS, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) in 2010 found that 92 percent of employers use criminal background checks;

WHEREAS, individuals when evaluated on their skills and qualifications for a job or housing, not just their past, will have greater opportunity to become responsible and tax-paying community members;

WHEREAS, Americans will benefit by developing a workforce that is employed to its full potential, both now and into the future when the demand for trained and skilled employees increases; and

WHEREAS, the benefit that expungement of a criminal record will yield to an individual and society may greatly outweigh the detriment to the public and public safety in sealing the record.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports the rehabilitation of criminal offenders through the evaluation and implementation of expungement laws particularly with regard to non-violent offenses;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL understands and believes that in some cases criminal records should not be expunged, particularly in the case of sexual and violent offenders still pose a significant risk to society;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL supports legislation and programs that provide former offenders with access to healthcare, including mental health supports; housing; job training and employment assistance; and comprehensive services to facilitate a path toward productive, healthy citizenship; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Bobby Joe Champion (MN)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Law, Justice, and Ethics Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Reginald Meeks (KY)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President