Legislative reforms proposed to improve employment prospects of ex-offenders
The Ministry of Justice has announced proposed changes to criminal record legislation dictating what ex-offenders must disclose to employers.
The proposed changes will amend legislation so that:
- Less serious sentences of over four years will not have to be disclosed to employers once the ex-offender's rehabilitation period has ended. This change will not apply where offences attract the most serious sentences, including life, or for serious sexual, violent and terrorism offences.
- The time during which sentences of four years or less and community sentences have to be disclosed will also be shortened.
Detailed proposals on how the government intends to amend the length of the rehabilitation periods will be set out later in the year following discussion with stakeholders. The reforms will only apply to non-sensitive roles.