February 19, 2025 12:44pm
OPINION: Workforce shortages threaten KY’s progress. Second-chance hiring would help.
This opinion piece was originally published in the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Lane Report.
It’s no secret that Kentucky’s economy is generating national attention for our recent unprecedented economic success. The Greater Louisville region is eager to keep that momentum going, but workforce shortages in key sectors that rely on skilled talent threaten our progress. As we continue developing our next generation of workers and attracting workers from other regions through our Live in Lou initiative, we cannot overlook and continue to under resource justice-involved members of our community that are already here and ready to work.
Approximately 38% of adults in Kentucky have a criminal record. For these people, gaining stable employment and economic stability in fields that require occupational licenses is often difficult. While many jobs that require licensing and certification restrict individuals with certain criminal convictions due to the nature of the position, these restrictions are not required to be outlined or clearly communicated. This often leads to individuals wasting time and resources on training and applications that their criminal history precludes them from to begin with.
When you consider that 95% of Kentucky’s inmate population will be released at some point, it is clear that the current system does not set them up for success upon release. There is a lot of work to do on this front, but a good starting point is instituting processes to clearly communicate which offenses automatically disqualify a person from obtaining certain jobs. That’s why GLI supports Kentucky House Bill 87.
This legislation requires public employers and licensing boards to establish a correspondence protocol
for applicants who inquire if previous criminal offenses would preclude them from a position or license. As it stands, there is no state guidance on how employers should respond to inquiries regarding criminal history and eligibility, which leads to applicants or those supporting reskilling initiatives incurring costs for a position or career path that was never achievable.
In practice, this would allow and encourage an applicant to reach out to a public employer or licensing board for clarification on their eligibility prior to paying for any additional training or certification. The burden of communication would be on the applicant, and licensing boards would be encouraged to engage with any inquiries. If passed, House Bill 87 would give individuals re-entering the workforce a better shot at obtaining gainful employment. As of February 2024, 21 states have enacted similar laws.
HB 87 is a critical step in building a more successful region. This bill is a commonsense solution to help businesses, individuals, and the Commonwealth’s booming economy.
As a society, we understand the need for second chances. There are too many barriers that keep people exiting the justice system from being able to obtain a true, fair shot at a new career and chance to rebuild their life. I applaud Representative Callaway for introducing HB 87 and I encourage the legislature to swiftly pass this measure, as well as other legislation to provide more second-chances to members of our community.
Sarah Davasher-Wisdom is the president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc.