TO CREATE A CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYABILITY FOR A PERSON WITH A FELONY CONVICTION; AND TO ALLOW THE DIVISION OF CORRECTION AND CIRCUIT COURTS TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF EMPLOYABILITY.

Senate Bill 462 creates a "certificate of employability" for individuals with felony convictions in Arkansas. The Division of Correction can issue these certificates to eligible prisoners who meet specific educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral criteria upon release. Additionally, individuals with felony or misdemeanor convictions can petition a circuit court for a certificate. This certificate can be used as evidence of an employer's due care in hiring in certain negligence claims. Certificates can be revoked if the holder commits another felony or, for court-issued certificates, if material misrepresentation occurred.