CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has signed the West Virginia Second Chance for Employment Act, meant to help non-violent felons improve their job opportunities.
The bill passed the House of Delegates the evening of the 59th day of the 60-day legislative session and then needed to have the Senate concur with changes that had been made. That happened within the final hour of the legislative session.
The bill originally would have allowed non-violent offenders to petition the court to have their felonies expunged.
The House amended the bill to allow non-violent felons to petition to have their sentences reduced to misdemeanors. The idea was that employers wouldn’t immediately blow them off, but could see the full record in a background check.
Versions of the bill have been under consideration by the Legislature the past few years. Last year, the bill unanimously passed the Senate but died in the House.