Liberal governor proposes bill allowing felons to hide their criminal records - The Orange Mane

spdirty · 02-13-2007, 11:55 AM

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...ground_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...

Spider · 02-13-2007, 11:57 AM

well , there are some mistakes that a guy makes once , but they follow him forever . ......... the way things are anymore , you never fully pay off your debt to society , Society will always remind you of what you did ............

TailgateNut · 02-13-2007, 12:27 PM

Not completly true spider. I have an employee who just got out of jail for drug charges. He was honest with me when he applied, and I decided to give him a chance with some harsh warnings. Haven't had a problem yet (knock on wood).

As far as this law is concerned. Limiting the access would be a mistake, PERIOD!

Spider · 02-13-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

Not completly true spider. I have an employee who just got out of jail for drug charges. He was honest with me when he applied, and I decided to give him a chance with some harsh warnings. Haven't had a problem yet (knock on wood).

As far as this law is concerned. Limiting the access would be a mistake, PERIOD!

fair enough ......... How about someone that was charged with attempted Murder ?

BABronco · 02-13-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

fair enough ......... How about someone that was charged with attempted Murder ?

What is the typical charge for attempted murder?

defenseman · 02-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

Not completly true spider. I have an employee who just got out of jail for drug charges. He was honest with me when he applied, and I decided to give him a chance with some harsh warnings. Haven't had a problem yet (knock on wood).

As far as this law is concerned. Limiting the access would be a mistake, PERIOD!

Honesty is very, very important. Lose the trust, might as well bid them adios...dman

Spider · 02-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABronco

What is the typical charge for attempted murder?

Mine was alot more to it then that , I made things worse by trying to run , would have been better off facing the charge , it got reduced down to Bodily assault with intent to do harm 3 rd degree ........

BABronco · 02-13-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

Mine was alot more to it then that , I made things worse by trying to run , would have been better off facing the charge , it got reduced down to Bodily assault with intent to do harm 3 rd degree ........

Oh so you were charged with that. I never heard that on here. Running is a bad idea but pretty much natural. I was just asking what is the typical time period one spends in jail for that charge ... attempted murder.

Spider · 02-13-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABronco

Oh so you were charged with that. I never heard that on here. Running is a bad idea but pretty much natural. I was just asking what is the typical time period one spends in jail for that charge ... attempted murder.

I was looking at 25 years , wound up with time served, 6 months of anger management level 3 therapy ........

BABronco · 02-13-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

well , there are some mistakes that a guy makes once , but they follow him forever . ......... the way things are anymore , you never fully pay off your debt to society , Society will always remind you of what you did ............

Agree with what you said here. But also Tailgatenut said about being upfront. However, being upfront about attempt of murder would rule you out of most jobs I'm guessing.

Spider · 02-13-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABronco

Agree with what you said here. But also Tailgatenut said about being upfront. However, being upfront about attempt of murder would rule you out of most jobs I'm guessing.

I had my troubles , even with the lesser charge still a felony , but I was able to get into Canada ( the Charge was in 84 ) , vote etc ..........

cutthemdown · 02-13-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

I was looking at 25 years , wound up with time served, 6 months of anger management level 3 therapy ........

you are still quick to talk violence as you threatened me just the other day. Maybe you need some more classes because really violence is never a good answer except in self defense.

Spider · 02-13-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

you are still quick to talk violence as you threatened me just the other day. Maybe you need some more classes because really violence is never a good answer except in self defense.

will probably never change ....... too many years of violence for me to change , I am getting better though .............

02-13-2007, 11:55 AM	#1
spdirty Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bailey Posts: 13,883 Adopt-a-Bronco: Koppen	Liberal governor proposes bill allowing felons to hide their criminal records http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...ground_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...

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02-13-2007, 11:57 AM	#2
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	well , there are some mistakes that a guy makes once , but they follow him forever . ......... the way things are anymore , you never fully pay off your debt to society , Society will always remind you of what you did ............

02-13-2007, 12:27 PM	#3
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	Not completly true spider. I have an employee who just got out of jail for drug charges. He was honest with me when he applied, and I decided to give him a chance with some harsh warnings. Haven't had a problem yet (knock on wood). As far as this law is concerned. Limiting the access would be a mistake, PERIOD!