TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Legislation moving in Tallahassee would make it easier for many people with criminal backgrounds to get professional licenses.

The House Appropriations Committee this week approved a bill that would change the way a job applicant’s criminal history is taken into consideration for jobs as cosmetologists, certified nursing assistants, barbers and some construction contracting licenses.

Under the proposal, a person would be allowed to apply for one of these licenses while under incarceration or supervision.

Additionally, the time an agency may consider criminal history an impairment to licensure would be reduced. Bill sponsor Scott Plakon says there is little benefit to making it harder for people to get jobs, once they’ve served their time.

“It helps individuals who are coming out of the Corrections system to obtain occupational licenses," said State Rep. Plakon, R- Longwood. "That helps facilitate their job outlook, it helps reduce recidivism. It keeps them off welfare, and allows them to become productive members, which I know is what we all want.”

The legislation must pass one more committee in the House before it’s ready for discussion by the full chamber.

A similar bill in the Senate has two more committee stops, with three weeks remaining in the 2018 regular legislative session.