Experts estimate the legislation will have wide-reaching impact on people with felony records, who face barriers to getting a job. In Michigan, people with convictions are even required to self-report criminal records to the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs when applying for most types of professional licenses, including barber’s and beautician licenses.
The law was supported by a bipartisan coalition that included conservative groups like American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity, a sign that the criminal justice system has impacted people across the political spectrum, according to Joshua Hoe, policy analyst for the non-profit Safe & Just Michigan, which supported the legislation.