Governor Hogan Supports Second Chance Act, Making it Easier for Ex-Offenders to Find Work

Governor Hogan’s announcement that he will sign legislation removing a stifling barrier to employment for thousands of Marylanders is a step forward in the fight to help more people make ends meet and promote a stronger economy.

Last Thursday, the governor’s office announced he would sign the Second Chance Act, which the Senate approved unanimously and now is before the House of Delegates.

The measure  provides those convicted of minor criminal offenses the opportunity to have their convictions shielded from public view. This legislation would help  pull many of the chronically unemployed out of deep poverty. In turn that would  increase economic activity and reduce what the state has to spend to provide public assistance.

This legislation would enable people  convicted of certain minor offenses to petition to shield court and police records from public inspection. Only nonviolent misdemeanors (for example, trespassing, disorderly conduct and prostitution) for which the offender has completed his or her sentence would be eligible.

To qualify for the shielding privilege, a person cannot have committed a crime for at least three years before  applying. Additional safeguards include the notification of prosecutors and victims, who have  the right to object. And  employers who are obliged to conduct background checks for all criminal offenses would still be permitted to see otherwise shielded information.

In Maryland, 245,505 people were arrestedn 2013.  Many of them have a hard time finding work. That creates two problems – not being able to support one’s self and family, and increasing the chances of committing another crime and going back to prison. The national poverty rate would have dropped by 20 percent between 1980 and 2004, it is estimated, if  not  for the number of people incarcerated quadrupling due to  harsher laws and targeted enforcement.

In the statement his office put out, Governor Hogan said, “I believe in second chances.”   It’s a good policy that should enable more people to become wage earners, taxpayers, and participate fully in public life.