While addressing an energetic crowd of legislators, community activists and ex-offenders the Governor stated, “this legislation brings our outdated criminal history database into the 21st century, ensures law enforcement agencies, employers and housing providers have access to accurate and complete records in appropriate circumstances, and helps people get back to work so they can support their families.”

The new law includes the following:

Internet-Based CORI System

• Employers and housing providers now have access to criminal records though an internet-based system.
• Felony convictions will remain available in the system for 10 years.
• Misdemeanor convictions will remain available in the system for 5 years, as long as there are no subsequent offenses.
• Pending cases that are continued without a finding (CWOF) will be available in the system until the case is disposed.
• Murder and sex offense convictions remain in the system permanently.
• Courts and law enforcement agencies continue to have full access to criminal offender record information.

Restrictions on Employment Applications

• Employers are prohibited from asking applicants about prior arrests or convictions on job applications. However, the restriction does not apply to employers who by law cannot hire ex-felons, etc.

Inmate Rehabilitation & Parole Eligibility

• Non-violent offenders serving mandatory minimum sentences can participate in education and training programs before they re-enter the community. These opportunities are designed to reduce the likelihood of the inmates committing new crimes following their releases.
• Some inmates imprisoned in the House of Correction for non-violent drug offenses will be eligible for parole after serving one-half of a mandatory minimum sentence if no aggravating factors are found. As a condition of parole, the Parole Board may require enhanced supervision such as GPS tracking.

Pretrial Detention for Illegal Firearms Possession

• Illegal firearms possession has been added to the list of crimes that a prosecutor may use to move for the pretrial detention of crime suspects.

Opponents of the new law believe that employers and public housing providers will have a more difficult time screening for felons while supporters argue that the law gives ex-offenders a second chance.

What do you think about the new law?

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