Lesniak & Cunningham proposal designed to reduce recidivism

Legislation designed to expand employment opportunities for some ex-convicts in order to aid in their reentry into society was unanimously approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee Monday.

The bill, S-876, would permit certain ex-offenders convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude to be employed by alcoholic beverage licensees, so long as they are not involved in the serving, selling, soliciting, mixing or handling of alcoholic beverages.

Excluded under the bill are sex offenders and people convicted of a crime of moral turpitude while employed on a licensed premises. Ex-offenders would also be prohibited from providing private security or admission-monitoring services, and would be prohibited from providing or participating in any management or professional services.

Under current law, a person convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude – defined as a serious crime from the viewpoint of society in general, and usually containing elements of dishonesty, fraud or depravity – is disqualified from being employed by an alcoholic beverage licensee, unless they have received a Rehabilitation Employment Permit from the director of the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The fee for such a permit is $125 annually.