ACTION ALERT: Tell Senators to vote "YES" for Fair Chance Licensing
Although Nebraska has an unemployment rate of 2.3%, the state is faced with a workforce shortage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recent data showed that there were over 60,000 job openings in the state.
How does this impact justice involved individuals?
We know that employment is one of the biggest challenges people face when coming out of incarceration. We also know that meaningful work trajectories is one of the 5-keys to successful reentry. But in Nebraska, there are barriers when moving from a survival job to a meaningful career.
There are close to 200 occupations in Nebraska that require some state licensure, many of the initial licensing requirements are burdensome, and people with previous convictions and/or incarceration history often have trouble entering licensed occupations, even years after completing their sentences.
Fair Chance Licensing is a solution and is included in LB16 which is scheduled for debate today, January 22nd.
