‘Second chance’ bill shields some convictions from job screening
Sens. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, and Verna Jones-Rodwell, D-Baltimore City are championing SB 1056, which would allow individuals to petition that their convictions for an array of nonviolent misdemeanor charges eligible be shielded from public scrutiny.
Dubbed the Maryland Second Chance Act of 2014, the bill says that following a period of three to five years, depending on the crime, an individual could submit a petition to a court.
Attorney General Doug Gansler testifies on legislation.
Attorney General Doug Gansler testifies.
An individual could only invoke the Second Chance Act once. If they re-offend during the three-to five-year waiting period, their conviction would not be shielded.
Eligible offenses include disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, failure to obey a lawful order, malicious destruction of property (under $500), trespass, driving without a license or while uninsured, drug possession, and misdemeanor theft (under $1,000).
Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/2014/03/12/second-chance-bill-shields-some-convictions-from-job-screening/#ixzz2vlfXRxOk
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And while the legal wizards, playing a shell game, shield these individuals from public scrutiny they'll move on to the next level of activity.
ReplyDeleteIn view of the above testimony, the AG website FAQs need to be revised: http://www.oag.state.md.us/faq.htm
ReplyDeleteJust to note, as all of these offenses could then be wiped off someone's record MCPS would be able to hire teachers with these convictions in their past. The convictions would go away and open the door for those individuals to be classroom teachers.
ReplyDeleteAnd the senate wants to broaden the shield and open the flood gates:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/03/marijuana-decriminalization-vote-scheduled-friday-for-maryland-senate-101140.html