Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H348 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
OldNewDifferences
11 1 of 1
22 HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2527 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
33 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 348
44 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
55 _________________
66 PRESENTED BY:
77 David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and Steven Ultrino
88 _________________
99 To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
1010 Court assembled:
1111 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
1212 An Act relative to increasing opportunities for employment in professional licensure.
1313 _______________
1414 PETITION OF:
1515 NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf17th Worcester1/19/2023Steven Ultrino33rd Middlesex1/19/2023Michelle L. Ciccolo15th Middlesex1/25/2023Patricia A. Duffy5th Hampden1/25/2023Vanna Howard17th Middlesex1/31/2023Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire2/9/2023Patrick Joseph Kearney4th Plymouth2/9/2023John Barrett, III1st Berkshire2/10/2023James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/23/2023Estela A. Reyes4th Essex3/2/2023 1 of 18
1616 HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2527 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
1717 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 348
1818 By Representatives LeBoeuf of Worcester and Ultrino of Malden, a petition (accompanied by
1919 bill, House, No. 348) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Steven Ultrino and others for legislation
2020 to further regulate professional and occupational licensing. Consumer Protection and
2121 Professional Licensure.
2222 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
2323 _______________
2424 In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
2525 (2023-2024)
2626 _______________
2727 An Act relative to increasing opportunities for employment in professional licensure.
2828 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
2929 of the same, as follows:
3030 1 SECTION 1. Section 172 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018
3131 2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “entity”, in line 27, the following
3232 3words:- , subject to section 172N.
3333 4 SECTION 2. Said chapter 6 is hereby amended by striking out section 172N, as so
3434 5appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sections:-
3535 6 Section 172N. (a) For the purposes of this section, “licensing authority” shall include any
3636 7agency, examining board, credentialing board or other office or commission, including boards
3737 8supervised by the commissioner of professional licensure, with the authority to impose
3838 9occupational fees or licensing requirements on a profession.
3939 10 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a licensing authority shall not
4040 11automatically bar an individual from a professional or occupational license because of a criminal 2 of 18
4141 12record. A licensing authority shall provide individualized consideration of an individual’s
4242 13circumstances as described in subsections (d) and (e) to deny, diminish, suspend, revoke,
4343 14withhold or otherwise limit a professional or occupational license.
4444 15 (c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensing authority shall
4545 16not consider, nor require an individual to disclose:
4646 17 (1) a deferred adjudication, including but not limited to a continuance without a finding,
4747 18participation in a diversion program or an arrest not followed by a conviction;
4848 19 (2) a conviction for which no sentence of incarceration may be imposed;
4949 20 (3) a conviction that has been sealed, annulled, dismissed, vacated, set aside, expunged or
5050 21pardoned;
5151 22 (4) a juvenile adjudication;
5252 23 (5) a non-violent misdemeanor;
5353 24 (6) a conviction that occurred more than 3 years prior to the date of the licensing
5454 25authority’s consideration or where the individual’s incarceration ended more than 3 years before
5555 26the date of the licensing authority’s consideration, except for a conviction of:
5656 27 (i) a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 2 and a half years, or any
5757 28act of juvenile delinquency involving the use or possession of a deadly weapon that would be
5858 29punishable by imprisonment for such term if committed by an adult, that (A) has as an element
5959 30involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force or a deadly weapon against
6060 31the person of another; (B) is burglary, extortion, arson or kidnapping; (C) involves the use of 3 of 18
6161 32explosives; or (D) resulted in death, bodily injury, or serious bodily injury with malice
6262 33aforethought;
6363 34 (ii) a felony related to a sex offense, a sex offense involving a child or a sexually violent
6464 35offense as defined in section 178C; or
6565 36 (iii) a felony related to criminal fraud pursuant to section 1 of chapter 267 or
6666 37embezzlement pursuant to chapter 266.
6767 38 (d)(1) A licensing authority may deny, diminish, suspend, revoke, withhold or otherwise
6868 39limit a professional or occupational license only if the licensing authority determines, by clear
6969 40and convincing evidence, that:
7070 41 (i) First, an individual’s non-excluded criminal record directly relates to the duties and
7171 42responsibilities of the profession or occupation.
7272 43 (ii) Second, if an individual’s non-excluded criminal record is directly related to the
7373 44duties and responsibilities of the profession or occupation, the licensing authority must then
7474 45determine if the interest of the licensing authority in protecting the public, an individual or
7575 46property from harm outweighs the individual’s right to hold the professional or occupational
7676 47license.
7777 48 (iii) Third, if the licensing authority determines that the interest in protecting the public,
7878 49an individual or property from harm outweighs the individual’s right to hold the professional or
7979 50occupational license, then the licensing authority shall determine if the applicant has failed to be
8080 51rehabilitated. 4 of 18
8181 52 (2) The licensing authority shall bear the burden of proof to establish evidence of clauses
8282 53(i) to (iii), inclusive.
8383 54 (e) If the applicant’s criminal record is directly related to the performance, duties,
8484 55responsibilities, practices or functions of the profession, the licensing authority shall consider the
8585 56following factors, in a light most favorable to the applicant, to demonstrate evidence of
8686 57rehabilitation:
8787 58 (1) the age of the individual at the time of the offense;
8888 59 (2) the length of time since the offense;
8989 60 (3) the completion of a criminal sentence, not including financial obligations;
9090 61 (4) a certificate of rehabilitation, restoration of rights or good conduct;
9191 62 (5) completion of, or active participation in, rehabilitative drug or alcohol treatment or
9292 63similar programs;
9393 64 (6) testimonials and recommendations, including, but not limited to, progress reports
9494 65from the individual’s probation or parole officer;
9595 66 (7) other evidence of rehabilitation;
9696 67 (8) education and training;
9797 68 (9) employment history;
9898 69 (10) the individual’s responsibilities, including civic and community engagement or
9999 70family contributions; 5 of 18
100100 71 (11) whether the individual will be bonded in the occupation; and
101101 72 (12) other information that the individual submitted to the licensing authority including
102102 73mitigating circumstances.
103103 74 (f) The licensing authority shall make its decision using the criteria and process described
104104 75in subsections (b) to (e), inclusive. The licensing authority shall issue and send a decision to the
105105 76applicant on the petition not later than 60 days after the licensing authority receives the petition
106106 77or, if a hearing is held, not later than 90 days after the licensing authority receives the petition.
107107 78The decision shall be made in writing and include a copy of any criminal record report that the
108108 79licensing authority reviewed. If the licensing
109109 80 authority determines that an occupational or professional license should not be granted
110110 81because of the criminal conviction of an applicant, the decision shall set forth the reasons for the
111111 82determination which shall address each of the factors in subsection (e) that the licensing
112112 83authority deemed relevant to the determination.
113113 84 (g)(1) An individual with a criminal record may petition a licensing authority at any time,
114114 85including before obtaining any required personal qualifications or applying for a license, for a
115115 86decision as to whether the individual’s criminal record is directly related to the profession and
116116 87that criminal record would disqualify the individual from obtaining a professional or
117117 88occupational license. The licensing authority may charge a fee to the petitioner to recoup costs
118118 89related to the petition, not to exceed $100 for each petition. If the petitioner’s income is at or
119119 90below 250 per cent of the federal poverty level used to determine indigency by the trial court of
120120 91the commonwealth, the fee shall be waived. 6 of 18
121121 92 (2) The petitioner shall include in the petition an authorization for the licensing authority
122122 93to obtain the petitioner’s criminal record.
123123 94 (3) The licensing authority will make its decision using the criteria and process in
124124 95subsections (b) to (e), inclusive.
125125 96 (4) The licensing authority shall issue and send a decision on the petition to the petitioner
126126 97not later than 60 days after the licensing authority receives the petition or, if a hearing is held, not
127127 98later than 90 days after the licensing authority receives the petition. The decision shall be made
128128 99in writing, include a copy of any criminal record report that the licensing authority reviewed and,
129129 100if the licensing authority determines that an occupational license should not be granted because
130130 101of the petitioner’s criminal record, a description that details with specificity how the petitioner’s
131131 102criminal record is directly and specifically related to the performance, duties, responsibilities,
132132 103practices or functions of the profession.
133133 104 (5) A decision that the licensing authority should grant the application under certain
134134 105conditions is binding on the licensing authority in any later ruling on the petitioner’s professional
135135 106or occupational license unless there is a change in the petitioner’s criminal record that is directly
136136 107related to the duties or responsibilities of the licensed occupation.
137137 108 (6) If the licensing authority decides that the professional or occupational license should
138138 109not be granted, the licensing authority may provide an alternative advisory opinion, in which the
139139 110licensing authority may advise the petitioner of actions the petitioner may take to remedy the
140140 111disqualification. 7 of 18
141141 112 (7) If advised by the licensing authority of remedial actions, the petitioner may submit a
142142 113revised petition reflecting completion of the remedial actions before a deadline set by the
143143 114licensing authority in the alternative advisory decision.
144144 115 (8) The petitioner may appeal the licensing authority’s decision as provided in section
145145 116176.
146146 117 (9) The petitioner may submit a new petition to the licensing authority not sooner than 1
147147 118year following a final judgment on the initial petition or upon obtaining the required personal
148148 119qualifications.
149149 120 (h)(1) An ambiguity in a professional or occupational regulation relating to a licensing
150150 121authority’s use of an individual’s criminal record shall be resolved in the favor of the individual.
151151 122 (2) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensing authority shall
152152 123not use vague terms in its consideration and decision making, including:
153153 124 (i) good moral character;
154154 125 (ii) moral turpitude; or
155155 126 (iii) character and fitness.
156156 127 (i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to change a licensing authority’s ability to
157157 128enforce other conditions of professional and occupational licenses, including the personal
158158 129qualifications required to obtain recognition or compliance with other regulations.
159159 130 (j)(1) Each licensing authority shall annually report to the division of professional
160160 131licensure, or the department under which the licensing authority sits: 8 of 18
161161 132 (i) the number of times that each licensing authority acted to deny, diminish, suspend,
162162 133revoke, withhold or otherwise limit state recognition for a license because of an individual’s
163163 134criminal record;
164164 135 (ii) the criminal convictions that were the subject of each licensing authority action
165165 136described in clause (i);
166166 137 (iii) the number of applicants petitioning each licensing authority pursuant to subsection
167167 138(e);
168168 139 (iv) the criminal convictions that were the subject of each approval or denial of a petition
169169 140pursuant to subsection (e); and
170170 141 (v) other relevant data as determined by the division of professional licensure or the
171171 142department under which the licensing authority sits.
172172 143 (2) The division of professional licensure or department governing the licensing body
173173 144shall annually compile and publish a report on a searchable public website summarizing data
174174 145reported in paragraph (1).
175175 146 Section 172N ½. There shall be a commission on background record requirements for
176176 147professional licensure consisting of 11 members: the commissioner of professional licensure or a
177177 148designee, who shall serve as chair, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on
178178 149consumer protection and professional licensure, the executive director of the Massachusetts
179179 150office of victim assistance or a designee, and 7 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of
180180 151whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Council, Inc., 1 of whom shall be
181181 152a representative of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, 1 of whom shall be a 9 of 18
182182 153representative of the NAACP Boston Branch, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a registered
183183 154Massachusetts affiliate of the National Urban League, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative
184184 155of the YMCA’s of Massachusetts, Inc., and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Greater
185185 156Boston Legal Services, Inc..
186186 157 The commission shall advise the division of professional licensure and licensing
187187 158authorities, as defined in section 172N, to provide recommendations for background record
188188 159requirements for each professional and occupational license granted within the commonwealth.
189189 160Background record requirements developed by the commission shall not be designed to eliminate
190190 161certain licenses, nor to develop or recommend that the division of professional licensure create
191191 162new licenses or additional requirements for licenses.
192192 163 SECTION 4. Section 2 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018
193193 164Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “of good moral
194194 165character” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- lacks a criminal record or history
195195 166of disqualifying convictions that is directly related to the practice and duties of a physician
196196 167pursuant to section 172N.
197197 168 SECTION 5. Section 18 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
198198 169striking out, in lines 1 and 2, the words “shall refuse to issue a certificate to a person, or”.
199199 170 SECTION 6. Said section 18 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby further
200200 171amended by adding the following paragraph:- The board shall refuse to issue a certificate to a
201201 172person who is intemperate in the use of alcoholic liquors or narcotic drugs or has a conviction by
202202 173a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime which the board determines, pursuant to section
203203 174172N, to be of such a nature as to render such person unfit to practice as a podiatry. 10 of 18
204204 175 SECTION 7. Section 23B of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
205205 176striking out, in line 11, the words “is of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
206206 177following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related
207207 178to the duties or practices of the occupation pursuant to section 172N.
208208 179 SECTION 8. Section 23S of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
209209 180striking out, in lines 11 and 12, the words “is of good moral character” and inserting in place
210210 181thereof the following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
211211 182directly related to the duties or practices the occupation pursuant to section 172N.
212212 183 SECTION 9. Section 45 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
213213 184striking out, in line 5, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
214214 185following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
215215 186related to the duties or practices of dentistry pursuant to section 172N.
216216 187 SECTION 10. Section 45A of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
217217 188striking out, in line 2, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
218218 189following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
219219 190related to the duties or practices of a dentist with a limited registration to section 172N.
220220 191 SECTION 11. Section 45B of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
221221 192striking out, in line 2, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
222222 193following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
223223 194related to the duties or practices of a temporarily registered dentist pursuant to section 172N.
224224 195 SECTION 12. Section 51 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
225225 196striking out, in line 1, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the 11 of 18
226226 197following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
227227 198related to the duties or practices of a dental hygienist pursuant to section 172N.
228228 199 SECTION 13. Section 51½ of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
229229 200striking out, in line 3, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
230230 201following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
231231 202related to the duties or practices of a dental assistant pursuant to section 172N.
232232 203 SECTION 14. Section 55 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
233233 204striking out, in lines 4 and 5, the words “of good moral character, and a” and inserting in place
234234 205thereof the following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
235235 206directly related to the duties or practices of a veterinarian pursuant to section 172N and is a.
236236 207 SECTION 15. Section 60B of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
237237 208striking out, in line 2, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
238238 209following words:- who lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
239239 210related to the duties or practices of an architect pursuant to section 172N.
240240 211 SECTION 16. Section 68 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
241241 212striking out, in line 13 the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
242242 213following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related
243243 214to the duties or practices of an optometrist pursuant to section 172N.
244244 215 SECTION 17. Section 73H of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
245245 216striking out, in line 8, the words “involving moral turpitude” and inserting in place thereof the
246246 217following words:- related to the duties or practices of a dispensing optician pursuant to section
247247 218172N. 12 of 18
248248 219 SECTION 18. Section 74 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, hereby amended by
249249 220striking out, in line 7 the words “he is of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
250250 221following words:- the applicant lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
251251 222directly related to the duties or practices of a nurse pursuant to section 172N.
252252 223 SECTION 19. Section 74A of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
253253 224striking out, in lines 5 and 6, the words “he is of good moral character and that he” and inserting
254254 225in place thereof the following words:- the applicant lacks a criminal record or history of
255255 226disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of a practical nurse pursuant
256256 227to section 172N and.
257257 228 SECTION 20. Section 76B of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
258258 229striking out, in lines 7, 20, 32, 47 and 61, the words “good moral character” and inserting in
259259 230place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- lacking a criminal record or history of
260260 231disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of a nurse pursuant to section
261261 232172N.
262262 233 SECTION 21. Section 84 of said chapter 112, as so appearing , is hereby amended by
263263 234striking out, in line 35, the words “involving moral turpitude” and inserting in place thereof the
264264 235following words:- that is related to the core functions of a funeral director pursuant to section
265265 236172N
266266 237 SECTION 22. Section 87A½ of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
267267 238striking out, in lines 43 and 44, the words “history of dishonest or felonious acts” and inserting in
268268 239place thereof the following words:- criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
269269 240directly related to the duties or practices of a public accountant pursuant to section 172N. 13 of 18
270270 241 SECTION 23. Section 87TT of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
271271 242striking out, in line 8, the words “good moral character” and inserting in place thereof, the
272272 243following words:- a lack of criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
273273 244related to the duties or practices of real estate brokers and salesmen pursuant to section 172N.
274274 245 SECTION 24. Said section 87TT of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby further
275275 246amended by striking out, in line 10, the words “good moral character” and inserting in place
276276 247thereof the following words :- lack of a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
277277 248pursuant to section 172N.
278278 249 SECTION 25. The first paragraph of said section 87TT of said chapter 112, as so
279279 250appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence.
280280 251 SECTION 26. Section 87XX of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
281281 252inserting after the word “character”, in lines 20 and 22, in each instance, the following words:-
282282 253pursuant to section 172N.
283283 254 SECTION 27. Section 93 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
284284 255striking out, in line 2, the words “involving moral turpitude” and inserting in place thereof the
285285 256following words:- pursuant to section 172N.
286286 257 SECTION 28. Section 101 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
287287 258striking out, in lines 4 and 5, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof
288288 259the following words:-lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
289289 260related to the duties or practices of a landscape architect pursuant to section 172N. 14 of 18
290290 261 SECTION 29. Section 119 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
291291 262striking out clause (a) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (a) lacks a criminal
292292 263record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of a
293293 264psychologist pursuant to section 172N;.
294294 265 SECTION 30. Section 136 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
295295 266striking out, in line 12, the words “involving moral turpitude” and inserting in place thereof the
296296 267following words:- directly related to the duties or practices of a social worker pursuant to section
297297 268172N.
298298 269 SECTION 31. Section 144 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
299299 270striking out clause (1) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (1) lacks a criminal
300300 271record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of a
301301 272speech-language pathologist or audiologist pursuant to section 172N,.
302302 273 SECTION 32. Section 144A of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
303303 274striking out clause (1) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (1) lack a criminal
304304 275record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of an
305305 276assistant to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist pursuant to section 172N,.
306306 277 SECTION 33. Section 152 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
307307 278striking out clause (b) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (b) lack a criminal
308308 279record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of an
309309 280acupuncturist pursuant to section 172N,.
310310 281 SECTION 34. Section 169 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
311311 282striking out, in line 2, the word “deny”. 15 of 18
312312 283 SECTION 35. Said section 169 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby further
313313 284amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following paragraph:- The board, pursuant
314314 285to section 172N, may deny a license due to a finding of a conviction by a court of competent
315315 286jurisdiction of a crime related to conduct which places into question the applicant’s competence
316316 287to provide mental health and human services, including gross misconduct in the practice of
317317 288mental health and human services on a particular occasion or negligence on repeated occasions.
318318 289 SECTION 36. Subsection (f) of section 197 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is
319319 290hereby amended by striking out clause (3) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
320320 291(3) lack a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or
321321 292practices of hearing instrument specialists pursuant to section 172N;.
322322 293 SECTION 37. Section 203 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
323323 294striking out, in lines 10 and 11, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place
324324 295thereof the following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
325325 296directly related to the duties or practices of a dietitian/nutritionist pursuant to section 172N.
326326 297 SECTION 38. The first paragraph of section 205 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is
327327 298hereby amended by striking out clause (d) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
328328 299(d) a criminal record or
329329 300 history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices of dietitians
330330 301and nutritionists pursuant to section 172N; or.
331331 302 SECTION 39. Section 213 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
332332 303striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof 16 of 18
333333 304the following words:- lacks a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly
334334 305related to the duties or practices of a perfusionist pursuant to section 172N.
335335 306 SECTION 40. Subsection (d) of section 222 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is
336336 307hereby amended by striking out clause (i) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (i)
337337 308lack a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or
338338 309practices of a home inspector pursuant to section 172N;.
339339 310 SECTION 41. Subsection (a) of section 229 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is
340340 311hereby amended by striking out clause (4) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
341341 312(4) he shall lack a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the
342342 313duties or practices of a massage therapist pursuant to section 172N;.
343343 314 SECTION 42. Said section 229 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended
344344 315by striking out, in line 19, the words “or a crime involving moral turpitude”.
345345 316 SECTION 43. Section 231 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
346346 317striking out clause (3) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:- (3) lacks a history of a
347347 318criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions directly related to the duties or practices
348348 319of a massage therapist pursuant to section 172N;.
349349 320 SECTION 44. Section 253 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
350350 321striking out, in line 7, the words “of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
351351 322following words:- lacks a history of a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
352352 323directly related to the duties or practices of a genetic counselor pursuant to section 172N. 17 of 18
353353 324 SECTION 45. Section 260 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
354354 325striking out, in line 8, the words “is of good moral character” and inserting in place thereof the
355355 326following words:- lacks a history of a criminal record or history of disqualifying convictions
356356 327directly related to the duties or practices of a community health worker pursuant to section 172N.
357357 328 SECTION 46. Section 269 of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
358358 329striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the words “and of good moral character” and inserting in place
359359 330thereof the following words:- , lacks a history of a criminal record or history of disqualifying
360360 331convictions directly related to the duties or practices of a naturopathic doctor pursuant to section
361361 332172N.
362362 333 SECTION 47. Subsection 9 of section 4 of chapter 151B of the General Laws, as so
363363 334appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following paragraphs after the last sentence:-
364364 335 (a) An employer shall not deny employment to an individual because the person was
365365 336convicted of one or more criminal offenses, or by reason of a finding of lack of good moral
366366 337character or suitability, when such finding is based upon the fact that the applicant was convicted
367367 338of one or more criminal offenses, unless:
368368 339 (i) the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing
369369 340on and affects such person’s fitness or ability to perform one or more of primary duties or
370370 341responsibilities necessarily related to the employment sought; or
371371 342 (ii) hiring or continued employment of the person would involve an unreasonable risk to
372372 343property or to the safety or welfare of a specific individual or the general public. 18 of 18
373373 344 (b) In making this determination, the employer shall undertake an individualized
374374 345assessment of the applicant and shall consider the following factors:
375375 346 (i) the type of work to be performed and the nature of the primary duties or
376376 347responsibilities necessarily related to the employment sought;
377377 348 (ii) whether the offense or offenses were recently committed, and whether the amount of
378378 349time that has elapsed since the occurrence of the offense or offenses significantly diminishes the
379379 350relevance of the offense or offenses;
380380 351 (iii) the age of the person at the time of the occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses,
381381 352including whether youth or lack of maturity related to the person’s age at the time of the offense
382382 353is a mitigating circumstance;
383383 354 (iv) the seriousness of the offense or offenses;
384384 355 (v) any evidence that the person performed the same type of work after the offense or
385385 356offenses with no known incidents of criminal conduct;
386386 357 (vi) any evidence regarding the person’s rehabilitation, including but not limited to civic
387387 358and community contributions, efforts at self-improvement, sobriety, education or training, and
388388 359good conduct; and
389389 360 (c) An employer shall, at the time of denial of employment, provide the applicant or
390390 361employee with a written statement that sets forth specific reasons for the denial.