Bipartisanship opened doors for a new law that creates employment opportunities for Oklahomans recently released from state custody. House Bill 3002, by Sen. Zack Taylor and Rep. Cyndi Munson, amends the requirements and qualifications for five occupational licenses. The licensure changes involve the Oklahoma scrap metal dealers, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, motor vehicle dealers, used motor vehicle dealers, and the Oklahoma Micropigmentation Regulation Act.

The law maintains each licensing entity’s ability to consider criminal history. However, the entity must identify if the crime relates to the occupation and is a threat to public safety.

Taylor said, “This measure will allow Oklahomans that have felonies on their records to have more employment opportunities but not at the risk of public safety.”

Oklahoma benefits from a low recidivism rate compared to other states. However, the state’s high incarceration rate means the number of people who return to prison in Oklahoma is still a large population.

Stitt also signed two bills concerning criminal reforms.

House Bill 4352, authored by Hill and Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, exempts certain inmates from the requirement under the Sarah Stitt Act to complete resumes or practice job interviews prior to release from incarceration. Hill worked with Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, to develop the Sarah Stitt Act, which became law in 2021.

HB4352 exempts inmates 65 years of age or older, inmates released to medical parole or from the mental health unit, inmates released to another jurisdiction, inmates returning to community supervision from an intermediate revocation facility, and inmates deemed by the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections (DOC) to be physically or mentally unable to return to the workforce.

House Bill 4353 directs the Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) to allow the use of a certified copy of a birth certificate coupled with a DOC-issued consolidated record card to serve as a valid form of photo identification to obtain a Real ID Noncompliant Identification Card.

Both bills were signed on April 25 and go into effect Nov. 1.