State Senate passes bill to help job-seekers with criminal records

Senate approves occupational licensing reform

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate has given approval to Senate Bill 1691, which builds upon previously passed occupational licensing reforms and would be transformational for job-seeking Oklahomans with criminal records to seize their second chance.

The measure, authored by Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, adds to current state law on occupational licensure so a criminal record could only be grounds for license denial if the offense substantially relates to the duties and responsibilities of the occupation and poses a reasonable threat to public safety. Each licensing board would be required to consider the seriousness of the crime, amount of time that’s passed since conviction, the age of the applicant at the time the crime was committed, evidence relevant to the offense and evidence of rehabilitation.

First Year: Stitt signs 774 commutations, 290 pardons, 101 paroles

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS 774 COMMUTATIONS, 290 PARDONS, 101 PAROLES IN FIRST YEAR

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 14, 2020)— On the one-year anniversary of Governor Kevin Stitt’s inauguration, Gov. Stitt announced today he signed 62 commutations, 93 pardons and 23 paroles, bringing the total signed during his first year to 774 commutations, 290 pardons and 101 paroles.

“This has been a historic year for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Gov. Stitt. “Under new leadership in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and at the Pardon and Parole Board, the Board’s favorable recommendations increased by 225% over last year. I applaud everyone’s hard work and thorough management of a significant increase in casework without needing additional funds. The most impactful changes come when the right leaders are in place in state agencies, operating with a shared vision. My administration remains committed to pursuing bold changes in criminal justice reform over the next few years, to include reforming the criminal code and changing the culture in state prisons to help people return as productive members of society.”

On November 1, 2019, Gov. Stitt signed the largest single-day commutation in U.S. history, commuting the sentence of 523 non-violent, low-level offenders that were recommended by the Pardon and Parole Board under the HB 1269 docket.

This historic commutation docket was the result of months-long collaboration between the Governor’s Office, the Department of Corrections, the Pardon and Parole Board, non-profit volunteers and other state agencies. On November 4, 2019, Gov. Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt greeted the 55 women at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility that were released through the HB 1269 docket.

With the leadership of the Governor’s Office, Pardon and Parole Board, and dozens of nonprofits, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections also held its first-ever transition fairs for inmates at 28 facilities across the state. More than 200 people from 45 community partners, nonprofits and state agencies attended the fairs to help provide inmates with the support and resources needed in order to successfully reintegrate into society. These fairs connected 781 inmates with information and tools to help them prepare to leave the criminal justice system and return to their families and friends.

Additional criminal justice reform highlights from Gov. Stitt’s first year in office include:

• Invested in drug courts and diversion programs in the FY 20 budget. 
• Reformed in the FY 20 budget how District Attorney Offices are funded so they are not reliant on high fines, fees and court costs.
• Called for and signed into law HB 1373, implementing licensing reform to help remove a major barrier for former offenders to access work opportunities.
• Called for and signed HB 1269, approving an expedited commutation process to release offenders currently incarcerated on low level drug possession crimes or any other felony that would now be considered a misdemeanor due to changes in law.
• Provided correctional officers with a $2 per hour pay increase.
• Issued EO 2019-41 to address the crises of contraband cellphones in state prisons across Oklahoma.

Stitt signs 'Fresh Start Act' to help non-violent offenders with employment

Gov. Signs Bill Making It Easier for Non-Violent Offenders to Find Higher Paying Jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law today a bill that could help non-violent offenders with felony convictions find high-paying jobs.

House Bill 1373, by state Rep. Zack Taylor, known as “Fresh Start Act,” will allow people with felonies on their records the opportunity to still seek occupational licensing for certain professions as long as the crimes do not substantially relate to the practice of the occupation. Taylor said the bill accomplishes occupational licensure reform in conjunction with criminal justice reform.

“Our laws should encourage those non-violent offenders who have paid their debt to find work so they can be productive, provide for their families and reduce the likelihood of recidivism,” said Taylor, R-Seminole. “This bill gives those non-violent offenders hope that if they meet the qualifications for an occupational license they will have the opportunity to make a good wage and improve their lives and not be disqualified because of arbitrary language in the law.”

Current state law is vague when it comes to occupational licenses, requiring that applicants be “of good moral character or have not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.” House Bill 1373 requires the state entities charged with oversight of occupational licenses to explicitly list the specific criminal records that would disqualify an applicant, and the bill allows for denial of licensure only for a conviction of a crime that substantially relates to the practice of that occupation and poses a reasonable threat to public safety.

The bill becomes effective November 1.

State Senate advances criminal justice reform measures

Senate advances criminal justice reform bills

Bills return to House for action

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday advanced a series of criminal justice reform measures that provide uniformity of certain drug offenses, improve parole supervision, and cap excessive sentences for nonviolent offenses, among other reforms.

“Oklahoma cannot continue to warehouse prisoners who need substance abuse and medical treatment for their addiction and mental health issues. This mentality has given us the highest incarceration rate in the world, cost our state a tremendous amount of money, and has torn families apart. The measures passed today strike the balance between upholding public safety and moving forward with comprehensive criminal justice reforms that will keep families together, and get nonviolent offenders the treatment they need to remain productive members of society,” said Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher.

“The Legislature has made great strides in addressing Oklahoma’s high incarceration rates and skyrocketing prison costs. We have to keep the momentum moving forward to reform the system and these measures are a huge part of the overall reform effort that are moving us in the right direction,” said Senator Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City.

The bills advanced on Thursday by the Senate now return to the House for consideration and include:

• HB 1100, authored in the Senate by Senator Bice, provides clarity that certain evidentiary requirements be met for charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and lowers currently high maximum sentences.
• HB 2009, authored in the Senate by Senator Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, caps maximum sentences for second and subsequent nonviolent convictions.
• HB 2273, authored in the Senate by Senator Jech, makes several changes to the pardon and parole process including requiring the Pardon and Parole Board to state the reason for denial of an application for parole and suggest a course of remediation for the inmate.
• HB 2369, authored in the Senate by Jech, creates the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission to evaluate and make recommendations on the creation of diversion programs. A report of the commission to the Legislature is due February 1 and each year thereafter.
• HB 1373, authored in the Senate by Senator Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, would direct occupational licensing boards to list with specificity any disqualifying criminal convictions directly related to such occupations.
• HB 2218, authored in the Senate by Jech, directs the court to waive outstanding fines, court costs and fees if the offender has secured admission to and is enrolled in an institution that is a technology center, workforce training program or member of state college or university. The bill also limits district attorney supervision to no more than two years.
• HB 1927, authored in the Senate by Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, reduces the term of imprisonment for a person who commits assault upon a medical care provider from two years to one year.
• HB 2310, authored in the Senate by Bice, would allow a person convicted of a crime to select either the jury or the judge to assess punishment.

"Fresh Start" bill passes House, eases workforce re-entry for some felons

Legislation Eases Licensure for Certain Professions

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, today commented on the passage of a bill that will give people with felonies on their records the opportunity to still seek occupational licensing for certain professions as long as the crimes are not violent or sexual in nature. The bill accomplishes occupational licensure reform in conjunction with criminal justice reform.

House Bill 1373, known as “Fresh Start,” passed the House by a vote of 96-2. It now moves to the state Senate.

“This allows people who have made some mistakes to still be able to re-enter the work force, to take care of themselves and their families and to contribute to their communities,” Taylor said. “This also helps reduce the chance that people who have paid their debt to society will end up back in prison.”

Taylor said his effort is aimed at helping reduce Oklahoma’s incarceration rate in a way that still protects public safety.

Current state law is vague when it comes to occupational licenses, requiring that applicants be “of good moral character or have not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.” HB 1373 requires the state entity charged with oversight of occupational licensure to explicitly list the specific criminal records that would disqualify an applicant, and allows for denial of licensure only for a conviction of a crime that substantially relates to the practice of that occupation and poses a reasonable threat to public safety.

The measure also specifies that disqualification for a criminal conviction may last for a period no longer than five years, as long as the crime is not violent or sexual in nature and there have been no convictions within that five-year period.

A similar measure passed the House last year but was not heard in the Senate.