GUIDE TO LEGISLATIVE ACTION - A REVIEW OF STRATEGIES TO REMOVE STATUTORY RESTRICTIONS ON OFFENDER JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• NCJ Number: 18213
• Author(s): J W HUNT; J E BOWERS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 15 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Labor
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc.
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc.; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MONOGRAPH WHICH OFFERS GUIDANCE ON TECHNIQUES FOR SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE CHANGE AT THE STATE LEVEL IN THE REMOVAL OF UNREASONABLE JOB BARRIERS IMPOSED ON EX-OFFENDERS BY STATE STATUTES AND CODES.

Abstract

PART ONE OF THE MONOGRAPH OUTLINES THE GENERAL ELEMENTS OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND SUMMARIZES STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OF WHICH REFORM PROPONENTS SHOULD BE AWARE. PART TWO TRACES IN DETAIL THE SPECIFIC AND DIFFERING KINDS OF INITIATIVES USED IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA AND CONNECTICUT TO ACHIEVE LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS IN REMOVING STATUTORY EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS. SOME OF THE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS MENTIONED IN THESE EXPERIENCES INCLUDE: THE SELECTION OF A COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE BILL; WHETHER TO INTRODUCE THE MEASURE IN ONE HOUSE OR BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY; THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE BILL SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED; AND THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED TO SUPPORT THE BILL. THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION HAS USUALLY DEALT WITH PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT (CIVIL SERVICE) RESTRICTIONS ALONG WITH OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BARRIERS. THROUGHOUT, THE DISCUSSION DWELLS ON PROCEDURAL RATHER THAN SUBSTANTIVE ASPECTS OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION.