Nearly one million jobs in Michigan require a license or certification, and most of these jobs were out of reach for anyone with a misdemeanor or felony on their record. No one should be forced to hire someone with a criminal record, but employers who want to take a chance on individuals trying to better themselves should have the option to employ them. A bill package in Michigan on this issue passed in 2019, but many restrictions remain. Lawmakers should review every law that restricts people with a criminal background from obtaining a license, and only prohibit a license for people who committed serious crimes that are directly related to the occupation they want to go into or that present a meaningful risk to public safety.