Inslee Signs Bill Aiming to Help Former Criminals Find Work

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill that aims to make it easier for some people with criminal records to obtain licenses or certifications for working in various professions.

Inslee signed House Bill 1553 on Thursday, which allows formerly incarcerated people to apply for a certificate that prohibits state and local authorities from denying them professional licenses because of their criminal history. A person will have to apply for a certificate and meet certain requirements such as having no Class A felony convictions.

Nursing and a number of other professions are exempted in the bill, meaning a criminal history can still disqualify people from getting a license. According to Columbia Legal Services, more than 90 vocations such as commercial fishing can currently bar someone with a criminal record.