spdirty
02-13-2007, 11:55 AM
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/02/12/patrick_seeks_to_limit_background_checks/
Patrick seeks to limit background checks
Criminal records proposal in works
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | February 12, 2007
Governor Deval Patrick, returning to one of the more contentious issues of his campaign, has begun quietly putting together a plan to limit employers' access to the criminal records of potential employees.
Breaking News Alerts Aides have been meeting with lawmakers and advocates working to limit the scope of the Criminal Offender Record Information law, which gives many employers broad access to criminal records. Activists argue that many applicants are rejected for jobs based on minor criminal convictions, crimes unrelated to the post, or records that contain errors.
Patrick has not yet settled on specific legislation, an aide said, but wants to give employers access only to criminal information that is relevant to the job being sought. Under current law, employers approved by the state's Criminal History Records Board can review an applicant's entire record.
"He believes employers must have access to information for positions where the safety of employees, customers, clients, or the public is a concern," said his spokesman Kyle Sullivan. He added that Patrick "supports law enforcement having broad and unlimited access to CORI."
Patrick's support of CORI changes became a heated issue in the gubernatorial campaign, seized on by Democratic rival Thomas F. Reilly and Republican Kerry Healey to paint him as soft on crime.
Do you think employers' access to background information should be limited?
During a televised debate, Reilly accused Patrick of backing a sweeping CORI bill that would have made it easier for offenders to have their records sealed and allowed drug dealers to cut time off their sentences.
For five months, Patrick was listed as a supporter of that bill on the website of one of the groups pushing the legislation, the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI. After Reilly's comments, a leader of the group removed Patrick's name, saying it was a mistake.
Patrick said at the time that he did not support that legislation, but he never specified what changes he would embrace. He said only that he wants to revise the law so that people with records can make a fresh start and "CORI doesn't defeat their every second chance."
Buoyed by Patrick's victory and the interest shown by his administration in its early days, supporters of limiting access to CORI say they are optimistic that an overhaul will pass this year.
"It's not a question of if, it's a question of when," said Horace Small, of the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI. He said he is meeting next week with Patrick's undersecretary of public safety, Mary Beth Heffernan.
CORI proposals have come up in the Democrat-controlled Legislature year after year, with little success. But advocates like Mayor Thomas M. Menino say that with an advocate in the governor's office, a bill's chances for passage have greatly improved.
"The governor is trying to get a policy in place so that CORI is not a life sentence," said Menino, who has implemented a "second chance" policy that dispenses with criminal background checks for many city job applicants. "We need someone at the helm who is supportive. I believe we will make headway this legislative session."Continued...
Patrick seeks to limit background checks
Criminal records proposal in works
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | February 12, 2007
Governor Deval Patrick, returning to one of the more contentious issues of his campaign, has begun quietly putting together a plan to limit employers' access to the criminal records of potential employees.
Breaking News Alerts Aides have been meeting with lawmakers and advocates working to limit the scope of the Criminal Offender Record Information law, which gives many employers broad access to criminal records. Activists argue that many applicants are rejected for jobs based on minor criminal convictions, crimes unrelated to the post, or records that contain errors.
Patrick has not yet settled on specific legislation, an aide said, but wants to give employers access only to criminal information that is relevant to the job being sought. Under current law, employers approved by the state's Criminal History Records Board can review an applicant's entire record.
"He believes employers must have access to information for positions where the safety of employees, customers, clients, or the public is a concern," said his spokesman Kyle Sullivan. He added that Patrick "supports law enforcement having broad and unlimited access to CORI."
Patrick's support of CORI changes became a heated issue in the gubernatorial campaign, seized on by Democratic rival Thomas F. Reilly and Republican Kerry Healey to paint him as soft on crime.
Do you think employers' access to background information should be limited?
During a televised debate, Reilly accused Patrick of backing a sweeping CORI bill that would have made it easier for offenders to have their records sealed and allowed drug dealers to cut time off their sentences.
For five months, Patrick was listed as a supporter of that bill on the website of one of the groups pushing the legislation, the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI. After Reilly's comments, a leader of the group removed Patrick's name, saying it was a mistake.
Patrick said at the time that he did not support that legislation, but he never specified what changes he would embrace. He said only that he wants to revise the law so that people with records can make a fresh start and "CORI doesn't defeat their every second chance."
Buoyed by Patrick's victory and the interest shown by his administration in its early days, supporters of limiting access to CORI say they are optimistic that an overhaul will pass this year.
"It's not a question of if, it's a question of when," said Horace Small, of the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI. He said he is meeting next week with Patrick's undersecretary of public safety, Mary Beth Heffernan.
CORI proposals have come up in the Democrat-controlled Legislature year after year, with little success. But advocates like Mayor Thomas M. Menino say that with an advocate in the governor's office, a bill's chances for passage have greatly improved.
"The governor is trying to get a policy in place so that CORI is not a life sentence," said Menino, who has implemented a "second chance" policy that dispenses with criminal background checks for many city job applicants. "We need someone at the helm who is supportive. I believe we will make headway this legislative session."Continued...