Mississippi: updates to Fresh Start Act
Senate Bill 2771 in the Mississippi Legislature proposes updates to the state’s Fresh Start Act to change how criminal history is considered in occupational licensing decisions. The bill would ensure that individuals are not automatically barred from seeking or holding professional licenses solely because of past convictions, limiting disqualifications to convictions directly relevant to the duties of the profession. It also would introduce procedural safeguards and transparency measures, including allowing prospective license applicants to request a pre-assessment from the relevant board about whether their criminal history could be disqualifying and requiring documented findings and a formal petition process. The advocacy group Empower Mississippi supports the legislation, which has been referred to the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee.