Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will address two bipartisan issues: criminal justice reform and occupational licensure reform.

The “Fighting Chance Act” is a regulatory bill designed to help small business owners, prospective entrepreneurs, and reformed non-violent offenders seeking to enter the workforce in a licensed occupation.

This legislation is modeled after a law passed in Virginia by the Republican legislature and signed by the Democrat Governor.

My Bill would apply the following to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and the Board of Probation and Parole:

• Establish a three-year regulatory reduction pilot program
• Reduce regulatory requirements and compliance costs across pilot agencies by 25% within three years of enactment
• Establish a baseline regulatory catalog for the total number and type of regulations and regulatory requirements currently promulgated or administered by the pilot agencies
• Require a report annually to members of the General Assembly on the progress of the regulatory reduction pilot program.

In Virginia, this three-year pilot program resulted in a significant reduction of the number of unnecessary duplicative or burdensome requirements as assessed by the participating agencies.

In addition to the regulatory pilot program, our bill will make much needed reforms to ease occupational licensing requirements. Too many citizens of our Commonwealth struggle to obtain a license or certification for employment.

Specifically, reformed non-violent offenders who have paid their debt to society face steep obstacles to starting a new career and turning their life around. They deserve the chance to enter the workforce and contribute to our economy. This could have a significant impact on reducing recidivism rates throughout our state. 

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.