Ohio law aims to help ex-offenders find work

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A new Ohio law aims to make it easier for ex-offenders who can prove their rehabilitation to find work after prison.

The law taking effect Friday reduces past restrictions on felons for working as cosmetologists, optical dispensers, salvage-yard dealers, construction-trade workers, hearing-aid dealers and fitters and security guards.

The law now also permits the sealing of one felony and one misdemeanor conviction, or two misdemeanor convictions.

It also gives judges more discretion in calculating child support payments owed by imprisoned parents or parents with felony convictions.

The law also allows judges to order community service instead of fines or drivers’ license suspensions and allows the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to create repayment plans for license reinstatement fees.