‘Fair chance’ licensing bill makes it out of Senate committee

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – A bill to make getting licensed in certain occupations easier for ex-convicts is on its way to the Senate floor, after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Ex-convicts and supporters in the community, are in the process of asking legislators, ‘When does a sentence end?’ for those that have a criminal record.

“I dropped out of school in the 8th grade,” said James Monteiro. “Who makes good decisions at the age of 15–years–old? Why do I have to continue to pay those consequences?”

As the laws stand now, advocates say a criminal record can prevent you from getting licensed in 66 percent of the jobs in the state that require licenses.

They say this prevents a significant part of the population from successfully participating in the economy.

“It’s fiscally irresponsible for us to continue to keep people locked out of opportunity,” said Monteiro.

The bill would make it so that only crimes related to whatever occupation the license is for would be considered when applying.

Some of the jobs that require these licenses include dental hygienists, barbers, veterinarians, and plumbers, to name a few.

“I want to be a provider,” said ex-convict Angelo Adams. “I want to do all the right things. But when you have roadblocks such as these, it makes you wonder where are people’s hearts at. The fact that people in the House aren’t on our side to pass the bill, is a serious problem.”

Advocates say the House wants to amend the bill to exclude those that have been convicted of a crime of violence.

“I think it needs some modification and amendment, and I’m not sure anybody agrees on that,” said Speaker Mattiello. “So we’ll see if we can have an agreed upon product by the time we adjourn.”

Advocates say they want it passed as is.

“When you have no job, no means to get up for anything, no identity, that’s the biggest sentence that no law can pass,” said Adams.

The bill is slated for a vote in the full senate next week.

However advocates say they think it’s unlikely to pass the house at this point, and they may have to wait until next session to come at the issue all over again.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019