Fresh Start Act of 2019; revise applicability of.

HB 869 (the Fresh Start Act of 2019) reformulates Mississippi's occupational licensing rules to allow individuals with criminal records to pursue most licensed professions, unless the conviction directly relates to the job's duties. It bans vague disqualification terms like "moral turpitude" or "any felony" and requires licensing boards to use specific evidence showing a crime's direct connection to an occupation. Applicants can petition for review of their criminal record's impact, and boards must document denials using clear evidence and consider rehabilitation efforts. The law excludes attorneys from these changes (as Mississippi Bar rules remain separate) and requires all licensing boards to implement these standards by July 2025.