Two Georgia legislative panels on Monday approved bills that criminal justice reform advocates contend will help thousands of people with minor criminal convictions improve their chances of finding good jobs and housing.
The House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 157, intended to give Georgians convicted of minor offenses more access to professional licenses needed to work in one of every six jobs in Georgia. A few hours later on Monday night, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 909, which would allow many more Georgians to keep their records sealed prior to their criminal sentence being completed under Georgia’s First Offender Act.
Both bills enjoy bipartisan support. The proposals are endorsed by the Georgia Justice Project as a step toward modernizing Georgia’s longstanding First Offender Act. Under the First Offender Act, some nonviolent felony convictions can be removed from the public record if the person has served their sentence. Both measures can still win legislative approval before the 2024 session is scheduled to end on March 28.
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