Reducing Barriers to Reentry Act

SB 441 reduces barriers to reentry by reforming the collateral consequences of criminal convictions in Georgia. The bill addresses restrictions on professional licensing, housing, and employment that follow individuals long after they have served their sentences.

Key provisions include creating pathways for individuals with certain convictions to obtain professional licenses, limiting the use of criminal history in housing decisions, and expanding record restriction (expungement) eligibility.

GPS supports this bill because reducing barriers to reentry is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild productive lives. Georgia's existing collateral consequences are among the most restrictive in the nation, trapping people in cycles of poverty and re-incarceration even after completing their sentences.