Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Final grade: F
Exclusion Grade
F
Relevance Grade
F
Due Process Grade
D
Strengths
- Bans agencies from considering old and sealed criminal records.
Areas of Improvement
- Require boards to consider evidence of rehabilitation and to use a directly related standard for all crimes.
- Strengthen safeguards for due process by requiring a petition process and placing the burden of proof on the state.
Massachusetts has one of the worst laws in the nation for ex-offenders seeking licenses, earning an F for its final grade.
Exclusion
| Overarching ban on blanket bans | No |
| Ban on considering arrest records | No |
| Ban on considering post-conviction relief records | Yes, dismissed and expunged records |
| Time limit | 10 years for felonies, 5 years for misdemeanors |
| Ban on vague, discretionary character standards | No |
Relevance
| Relationship between the crime and the license sought | None |
| Required factors for consideration | |
| Rehabilitation | No |
| Time elapsed since crime was committed | No |
| Age when crime was committed | No |
| Employment History | No |
| Testimonials | No |
Due Process
| Petition Process | No |
| Burden of Proof | Both unspecified |
| Right to appeal | Yes |
| Written notice requirement | Yes |