Criminal records have long disqualified Arizona residents from obtaining an occupational license or working for the state of Arizona. House Bill 2660, which is passing through the Legislature, would loosen those restrictions.

The bill would not allow employers or licensing boards to automatically disqualify people with a felony or misdemeanor charge, if the conviction was more than seven years ago.

HB2660 is sponsored by Rep. John Allen, who says he wants to help people rehabilitate their lives and find employment. He said the bill is “trying to get people back into the population.”

The bill would still allow agencies to disqualify applicants if they committed an offense directly related to the area of work or was especially severe.

The bill passed the Arizona House and Senate committees and is going to the Arizona Senate floor next.