Lawmakers Override Bryan's Veto of "Fair Chance" Bill

Lawmakers also approved several other bills, including measures to regulate the real estate industry, lease agreements for local businesses, and a bill honoring reggae artist Vaughn Benjamin with a monument and park.

Members of the 35th Legislature voted to override Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s veto of Bill 35-0115, “The Fair Chance for Employment Act” described as the “epitome of a second chance” for former offenders.

Originally sponsored by Senator Donna Frett-Gregory in March, the bill sought to require the Division of Personnel to develop fair chance hiring policies and delay the conduct of background checks by prospective employers until a conditional offer of employment has been extended to applicants. She appealed to her colleagues to support the measure as a way to “end stigma” toward formerly incarcerated individuals who were interested in seeking meaningful work.

When Governor Bryan vetoed the measure in April, he said it contained “overreaching components in the bill, particularly the severe criminal penalty for employers and the absence of a cap on damages for job applicants.” Frett-Gregory subsequently issued a release vowing to override the veto, with any adjustments to the legislation coming in the form of another draft bill, she had said. The lawmaker was successful in that quest on Monday evening, as all 13 members present voted to reverse Mr. Bryan’s action.‌