Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Second Chance for Employment Act takes effect in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Non-violent felons can petition the court to have their sentences reduced to misdemeanors, according to a new law in West Virginia.

The West Virginia Second Chance for Employment Act took effect Friday.

Governor Jim Justice signed the bill in April after it passed the Legislature during this year’s session.

Senator Glen Jeffries (D-Putnam, 08) introduced the bill after meeting with several business owners who wanted to hire people, but were not able to due to their previous felony convictions.

“We have a significant amount of people in West Virginia that are in that scenario and we believe that this is going to help them to be able to find employment,” Jeffries told MetroNews.

According to the new law, a person has to be clean for at least 10 years before filing a petition. The petition has to be served to State Police, the county prosecutor, city police or any executive head of a municipal police department and the circuit court of the conviction.

A petition can be obtained on the state Supreme Court’s website or at the county circuit courts. There’s a $300 for the petition.

The American Friends Service Committee in West Virginia is a big supporter of the legislation. Rick Wilson, the committee’s program director, said the new law creates opportunities for people to become productive citizens again.

“People are going to get out sooner or later, so how can we make it easier for them to reenter and become employed to stabilize their lives? We thought this was a good first step in that direction,” Wilson said.

A lot of people, Wilson said, have drug convictions on their record — making it difficult to find a job.

“If you have that and you can’t get a job, they can’t enter certain professions, it limits your ability to work then what do you think is going to happen,” he said.

Wilson classified the number of people with non-violent felony convictions in West Virginia as “pretty high” including thousands of people.

Once a person petitions to court, a judge will decide where to go from there.





More News

News
MetroNews This Morning 3-29-24
Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 - 6:24 am
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm