Fresh Start Act of 2019; revise applicability of.

HB 816, the Fresh Start Act of 2019, revises Mississippi's occupational licensing laws to reduce barriers for individuals with criminal records. It prohibits licensing authorities from disqualifying applicants based on prior convictions unless the crime directly relates to the occupation's duties, replacing vague terms like "moral turpitude" with a specific evaluation framework. The bill requires authorities to consider the crime's nature, time elapsed, relevance to the job, and rehabilitation efforts when reviewing applications. Licensing bodies must implement these changes within 120 days of the effective date and provide written explanations for denials. The law applies to most licensed professions but excludes admission to the Mississippi Bar for attorneys.