February 29, 2016 8:30am-1:00pm

For more information visit our website: www.GJP.org

GEORGIANS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS NEED JOBS TO LEAD PRODUCTIVE LIVES

Welcome,

Thank you for joining us for the fourth annual Enhance the Chance: Georgia Justice Project Lobby Day at the Capitol. Georgia Justice Project works to change the state’s counter-productive laws that are keeping millions of Georgians with a criminal record from becoming economically self-sufficient after an arrest or conviction.

There are nearly 4 million people in Georgia with a criminal record; many have difficulty accessing the employment they need in order to lead productive lives and support their families. The overwhelming research is clear –the most important predictor of recidivism is employment, yet Georgia is consistently ranked as one of the worst states for a person with a criminal record to secure employment.

Today you will be standing up for the thousands of men and women across Georgia who are struggling to find jobs and take care of their families because of their criminal histories by asking the General Assembly to pass SB 367 and HB 828.

We will wear orange ribbons because orange is used nationally to symbolize the need to end mass incarceration as well as reduce the collateral effects of a criminal record on people and communities.

Thank you,

Georgia Justice Project

AGENDA Monday, February 29, 2016 – 8:30am to 1:00pm

8:30am – 9:00 Arrival and morning refreshments at Central Presbyterian Church 9:00am – 9:45pm Legislative workshop 9:45am – 10:00am Walk to the Georgia State Capitol 10:00am – 11:30am Lobby with legislators 11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch and closing remarks at Central Presbyterian Church

For more information visit our website: www.GJP.org

GEORGIANS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS NEED JOBS TO LEAD PRODUCTIVE LIVES

Lobbying Assistance:

 We will lobby Georgia lawmakers from 10:00 – 11:15. If you would like someone to join you when you speak to legislators please let us know as soon as you arrive.  There will be GJP staff and volunteers located on the 2nd floor in the Rotunda Elevators:

 The elevators are located on the east and west sides of the Capitol. Restrooms:

 Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th floors of the Capitol building.  Ladies – located on the 1st floor, inside the Capitol Avenue entrance and on the 3rd floor in room 342  Men – located on the 1st floor and on the 4th floor adjacent to the House Gallery. Water Fountains:

 Accessible water fountains can be found near the first floor restrooms on the east side of the Capitol and inside the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive entrance. Telephones:

 Both a TDD and a Volume Control Telephone are located on the 1st floor of the Capitol in the restroom area.

For more information visit our website: www.GJP.org

How to find Your Elected Officials and Relevant Committee Members You can find your elected officials by going to this website: http://openstates.org/ga/legislators/. Enter your address and you will be given the list of legislators that represent your district. If you don’t know who your legislators are and you don’t have access to the internet, please ask a member of the GJP staff or a volunteer to assist you. Members of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee We anticipate that SB 367 will be approved by the Senate and sent to the House, where it must be approved by the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee before being voted on by the full House and sent to the Governor’s desk. It is important that the members know that there is broad support for the bill and that they will positively affect the lives of people across the state. HB 828 has been approved by the House Ways and Means Committee and must pass the full House before it is considered by the Senate.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee:

Rich Golick B.J. Pak Dustin Hightower Stacey Abrams

(Chairman) (Vice Chairman) (Secretary) (Member) (Member) (Member)

Christian Coomer Pam Dickerson Dar’shun Kendrick

(Member) (Member) (Member) (Member) (Member) (Member)

Nikki Randall Brian Strickland Robert Trammell

(Member) (Member) (Member) (Member) (Member) (Member)

LOBBY TIPS

Do’s:

1. Know the name of your legislators and those who sit on relevant committees. 2. Keep comments short (about 2-3 minutes). 3. Introduce yourself and your district. 4. Maintain eye contact. 5. Speak calmly 6. Start on a positive note – thank the legislators for recent criminal justice reforms. 7. Clearly state the policy issue you would like to be considered. 8. Explain your position with facts and personal stories if possible and appropriate. 9. If you do not understand something, ask questions. 10. Try and show openness to any counterarguments and respond politely. 11. Ask the legislator to take a specific action – vote YES on SB 367 and HB 828. 12. If you are asked a question that you do not know how to answer, say that you are happy to find the answer. 13. Thank legislators for meeting with you and discussing your issues.

Don’ts: 1. Don’t confront, threaten or beg. 2. Don’t try to speak to the legislator about every issue. 3. Don’t expect legislators to be subject matter experts – they are very busy with many different areas of the law and probably will not have all the facts about the issue. 4. Don’t shuffle through paperwork. 5. Don’t use phrases like, “I’m here to educate you about…” or “Can’t you understand…”

For more information visit our website: www.GJP.org

In 2016, Georgia lawmakers can reduce barriers for Georgians with criminal records by passing SB 367

and HB 828

SB 367 IMPROVES GEORGIA’S SECOND CHANCE LAW

The First Offender Act was first enacted in 1968 and allows certain people charged with their first offense to avoid a conviction and a public record if they successfully complete their sentence. The law also says that public and private employers cannot deny a job on the basis of a completed first offender case. Unfortunately, those who are sentenced under the First Offender Act often do not get a real second chance because there is still public record that can be accessed by private background checking companies, which employers increasingly rely on in today’s digital world.

If SB 367 passes, the First Offender Act will provide a real second chance by:

. Restricting court and jail records for those who successfully complete their first offender sentence so that private background companies cannot report them to employers . Allowing judges to restrict first offender records at the time of sentencing instead of waiting until the sentence is complete . Automatically discharging and exonerating successful First Offenders . Giving judges the discretion to grant first offender treatment to individuals who were not initially sentenced as first offenders up to one year after the original sentence.

SB 367 MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO GET OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

Many jobs in Georgia require an occupational license. Georgia law grants broad discretion to licensing boards to deny applicants with criminal convictions. This creates a significant barrier to employment for individuals with criminal histories.

If passed, SB 367 will improve access to employment by expanding “ban the box” to apply to applications for occupational licenses so that licensing boards do not deny applicants based on a conviction that is not related to the license sought. Boards will now consider factors such as the time passed since a conviction, the relevancy of a conviction to the job, and mitigating circumstances.

SB 367 EASES THE BURDEN OF A SUSPENDED DRIVER’S LICENSE

A driver’s license suspension presents a significant barrier to Georgians seeking to perform essential tasks, such as driving to work or taking children to daycare or school. In 2014, the legislature passed a law stating that Georgians convicted of non- vehicle related drug offenses no longer face driver’s license suspension. Unfortunately, however, individuals convicted before this reform still face automatic suspension. Additionally, people with suspended licenses face prohibitive fees to have it reinstated, including a graduated scale for multiple offenses.

If SB 367 passes, those convicted before 2014 will receive the benefit of the new law, and their licenses will no longer be suspended. Also, multiple fees will be replaced with a flat rate and courts will be able to waive or reduce fees for people who cannot pay.

SB 367 SHOULD LIFT THE LIFETIME BAN ON FOOD STAMPS FOR PEOPLE WITH FELONY DRUG CONVICTIONS

Food security is important to returning citizens as they seek to reenter society and get back on their feet. Unfortunately, Georgians convicted of a felony drug charge are banned from receiving food stamps for life. Georgia is one of only seven states that continue to impose this ban.

SB 367 should include a provision that lifts the lifetime ban on food stamps for individuals with felony drug convictions.

HB 828 CREATES AN INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYERS TO HIRE PEOPLE ON PAROLE

Georgians returning from the criminal justice system need jobs to lead productive lives. Incentives—including tax breaks— encouraging employers to hire individuals with criminal records are an effective way to increase job opportunities available to returning citizens.

If passed, HB 828 would provide a tax credit to employers who hire people on parole.