SB 1367 – supported by crime survivors – would expand access to job licenses for those with old records, helping to improve safety

PHOENIX – Arizona crime survivors today praised the passage of SB 1367 by the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee in a bipartisan vote, which expands access to occupational licenses for those with old non serious records. The bill – sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-District 2) – creates a pathway for those seeking employment after being released back to their communities, allowing them to support their families and reducing the chances of reoffending. This reform was supported by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) – a national network of crime victims with thousands of members in Arizona – and is a proven approach to improving safety. Celina Meadows, the Arizona state manager for CSSJ, released the following statement:

“Arizona currently faces thousands of unfilled jobs, and putting people back to work is a proven way to stopping cycles of crime and improving safety. SB 1367 is a commonsense approach that creates new opportunities for those returning to their communities and looking to rebuild their lives.

This bill will reduce barriers for those with old non-serious offenses so they can support their families and reduce the chances that they will return to prison. People will have more tools to succeed, while supporting the local economy along the way.

We thank Senator Bolick for championing this pro-safety bill, and we look forward to the legislature passing it so we can make a safer Arizona for everyone.” The full text of the bill can be read here.

About the Alliance for Safety and Justice The Alliance for Safety and Justice is a national organization that aims to win evidence-based new safety priorities in states across the country. It also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence, as part of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice – its national network of over 100,000 crime survivors with close to 3,000 members in Arizona. For more information, visit: https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org or https://cssj.org.