Whereas every person is endowed with human dignity and value; Whereas redemption and second chances are American values; Whereas millions of American citizens have a criminal record; Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals returned to their community from State and Federal prisons every year; Whereas returning citizens have paid their debt after committing a crime but still face significant barriers, also known as collateral consequences; Whereas many of these consequences are mandatory, taking effect automatically regardless of a nexus to public safety, the seriousness of the offense, the time passed since the offense, or the individual’s efforts to make amends or earn back the public’s trust; Whereas gaining meaningful employment is one of the most significant predictors of successful reentry and reducing future criminal activity; Whereas many individuals who have previously been incarcerated struggle to find employment because of both societal and legal barriers which are often not directly related to the offense committed or any proven public safety benefit; Whereas many States have laws which prohibit individuals with a criminal record from working in certain industries or obtaining professional licenses; Whereas education has also been shown to be a significant predictor of successful reentry; Whereas many individuals with a criminal record have lower levels of educational attainment than the general population and have significant difficulty acquiring admission to and funding for educational programs; Whereas many individuals convicted of certain crimes are barred from receiving the financial aid necessary to acquire additional skills and knowledge; Whereas many individuals with a criminal history also face significant barriers in securing a place to live; Whereas many individuals with criminal history are barred from seeking access to public housing