So far I see nothing about felons and believe the bill is weak and doesn’t go far enough.I made one mistake by being naive selling my firearm to a co-worker/friend the wrong way.With no jail time,a class 3 felony,paid off fines,and 5 years probation(still serving)I can’t get a job to support myself because employers discriminate outright.My crime in no way affects my ability to do a job or show bad character.I admit certain crimes by repeat offenders bring it on themselves but the purpose of the system is to rehabilitate not punish,and if by completing time served and you have paid your debt to society why are we being black listed by employers.The wait time for possible expungment is ridiculous,who has 4 to 10 years depending on which state(in which in PA I have to wait 27 years)to wait before they can get a good job to support themselves or a family.The bill simply isn’t really doing anyone any good that wants to just get on with their life and move on.You don’t have to change the whole system just give people a chance,first offenders like me and many others should be given a chance,if we mess up again then we did nothing but bring it on ourselves.

Bill 391 would be ideal for people who has paid their dues to society. I agree that seven to ten years arrest free is fair. I have a misdemeanor from 1995 and I have been clean for 17 years arrest free and I still get rejected for employment. Bill 391 can help give us a second chance to be productive in society.

it’s a bill that would help those honest Pennsylvanians who changed their past ways to better society.

I work with juveniles in trouble with the law on a daily basis. I’m not a counselor, I’m a behavioral health technician! I’m with both sexes more than anyone within our facility! I have a criminal record, minor offense. I was honest with this company and I’m 9/10 one of the better behavioral health technicians they’re hired. One with a criminal record isn’t as bad as you think. A lot of stereotype floats around when people hear of a “criminal record involvement.” However given the chance it has worked in my favor because I have my employer complimenting on my work ethics and performance! Those with a criminal record isn’t as bad as people think! This new bill will help out a lot of civilians like myself!

I went on and try to expand my experience in the human service field with juveniles to help rehabilitate those offended to not make the same mistakes they’ve done. Picked up a new job and today. I was terminated because of miscommunication upon interview. I still have my first job but not the point! Some of us with criminal records acknowledge our mistakes and try to convert our mistakes to help young offenders. Others like to expand into the medical field, etc. Altogether those who have a record and try to bounce back into society seem to be held back. Almost like we’re not allowed back in. We’re human, we make mistakes! This bill, highly appreciated if it is/isn’t passed!

I fully support SB-391. The Commonwealth MUST enact a way to expunge misdemeanor crimes. My unique situation is that I paid (and currently paying) loans for vocational training where I received a PA-issued license to practice nursing (LPN). The State Board issued the license but now I can’t work anywhere due to having 3 misdemeanor offenses on my criminal background–the most recent of which happened over 10 years ago; 1 of these occurred 17 years ago which just resulted in me being terminated from a position that I held as a LPN in an assisted care facility. Now I’m left with collecting unemployment compensation and food stamps. THIS BILL MUST BE PASSED AND ENACTED INTO LAW NOW!!

I would be one of these individuals. I have a summary of theft by deception from when I was 20 yrs old. It’s 17 years later and I would love to go back to school in the medical field, but my concern is spending my money and getting the degree and can’t land a job due to my record and back then I was offered the ARD program but I was young and didn’t have the money for it at the time. I even a wrote the judge on behalf of my charge to see if I could get it expunge, its was denied.

I’ve just subscribed to your newsletter. This will help our family very much… one thing I would suggest is that you guys put live updates on the news section so we know the process of 391. thank you.

dont give up! this bill will help two members of my family – my cousin and myself. i had a charge for being associated with my then ex-boyfriend five years ago, and the charge they applied on me was just as serious as the one put on him. I dont see how that’s very fair, but it’s possible that I can start over in life JUST AS LONG AS THIS BILL IS PASSED! then in two or three years i can finally be confident in FINDING JOBS.