Bipartisan Occupational Licensing Reform Bills Pass in Oklahoma
Senate Bill 1691 and House Bill 3002 Would Build Upon 2019 Reforms, Provide Workforce Development Benefits for the State
HB 3002 Passes Senate 44-2, SB 1691 Passes House 81-4
JAN’s Lauren Krisai: “Oklahoma set the standard for commonsense, bipartisan occupational licensing in 2019, and continues to lead the way for the rest of the nation.”
Oklahoma City, OK—Both chambers of the Oklahoma legislature passed occupational licensing reform bills aimed at protecting public safety while making it easier for Oklahomans with certain criminal records to enter the workforce. House Bill 3002, sponsored by Representative Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) and co-sponsored by Senator Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) in the Senate, passed the Oklahoma Senate Wednesday with vote of 44-2. Senate Bill 1691, sponsored by Senator Zack Taylor (R-Seminole), and co-sponsored by Representative Brad Boles (R-Marlow) in the House, passed the Oklahoma House last week with a vote of 81-4. Senator Taylor is the Senate co-sponsor on House Bill 3002.
These bipartisan bills now go to Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature.
“Oklahoma set the standard for commonsense, bipartisan occupational licensing in 2019, and continues to lead the way for the rest of the nation,” said Lauren Krisai, Senior State Policy Manager at the Justice Action Network. “These bills ensure that people who have worked hard to turn their lives around have better opportunities to seek employment and provide for their families. I’d like to thank Senator Taylor and Representative Munson for putting partisanship aside and working together to create opportunity for Oklahomans. We look forward to Governor Stitt signing these bills as soon as possible.”
Both reforms build on the success of 2019’s House Bill 1373, sponsored by then-Representative Zack Taylor. The bill required specified state entities to explicitly list the criminal records that would disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant from receiving an occupational license, required that only offenses specifically and directly related to the duties and responsibilities for the licensed occupation could be listed, and removed broad, unclear mandates including requirements that a person possess “good moral character,” or not have been convicted of a crime “of moral turpitude.”
Senate Bill 1691:
Allows a criminal record to be grounds for license denial in Oklahoma only 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 has passed since conviction, the age of the applicant at the time the crime was committed, evidence relevant to the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Excludes from consideration any offense that has been dismissed, pardoned, sealed, or expunged from the record, or if five years have passed since the conviction or end of incarceration without any new conviction.
Directs each licensing entity to publish information relating to these procedures and considerations on their respective websites.
Ensures that violent crimes, felony domestic assault, and offenses that require sex offender registration are still considered as a variable for licensure at any time.
House Bill 3002:
Updates occupational license application requirements for the Oklahoma Scrap Metal Dealers Act, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, motor vehicle dealers, used motor vehicle dealers, and the Oklahoma Medical Micropigmentation Regulation Act to align with requirements passed in House Bill 1373 in 2019.
Requires applicants to include in their application whether they've been convicted of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any felony that substantially relates to the profession and poses a reasonable threat to public safety.
Removes broad, unclear mandates including requirements that an applicant possess “good moral character,” or not have been convicted of a crime “of moral turpitude.”