A better future glimmers in the horizon for people with previous felony convictions. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently signed a new law that will help people with a criminal history pursue a better life. House Bill 263 will remove certain barriers that prevent individuals with past felony convictions from obtaining or reinstating a professional license.
The new bill excludes those with violent offenses as well as sex offenses. Unfortunately, individuals with nonviolent felony convictions are often regarded as a threat to society, which eliminates many opportunities for the rest of their lives. Criminal history or not, these people deserve a comfortable life, too. In order to promote equality and fairness, we must remove the stigma surrounding a criminal record. From a young age, we’re taught to steer clear of ‘criminals,’ and we ignore different levels of circumstances. These rehabilitated individuals are not treated as deserving citizens. Instead, they are treated as criminals indefinitely. People learn from their mistakes, people gain perspective, and people deserve to move forward. Once rehabilitated, individuals with a past felony conviction should be allowed to pursue a life of their choice. HB 263 is a good move for Ohio, and great things are certain to come from it.
Our country has a history of targeting minorities at higher rates, which keeps certain groups in a vicious cycle of poverty and unemployment. Governor DeWine has taken a small yet crucial step to help slow the cycle. With the passing of a number of laws across the nation, whether having to do with drug decriminalization, expunction eligibility, or the rights of convicted felons, state governors are making significant progress in 2021.
You are so much more than your criminal record. At Easy Expunctions, we can wipe your record clean, so that you can get the second chance you deserve. For more information regarding easy and affordable record-clearing, visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com or give us a call at (877) 628-1214.