September is National Workforce Development Month

This month we’re recognizing the critical role employment plays in empowering individuals on their path to success, and building economically resilient communities. At JAN + JANF, we believe robust workforce development must include everyone, including people who are ready to earn their second chance.

Over the past decade, our efforts have helped lay the groundwork for 98 workforce-focused bills signed into law across 19 states, along with key victories at the federal level.

The wide range of reforms we’ve supported and championed—centered on expanding opportunities, and removing barriers to employment for both job seekers and businesses—are at the heart of what smart justice policy is all about.

Below, we highlight key reforms that are reshaping what it means to invest in a workforce that works for everyone, and how to effectively communicate their impact.

Messaging That Works

Positioning legislation as a workforce initiative—or as a policy that supports employers and strengthens the local or state economy—has allowed us to build a broader, more inclusive coalition of support. This framing has brought new and sometimes unexpected allies to the table, including local businesses, chambers, and trade associations.

By expanding our base of support, we’re laying a stronger foundation for future, more comprehensive justice policy reform.

Looking at these policies through a workforce lens has also opened the door for a wider range of lawmakers to engage, particularly those who tend to focus on more economic or workforce issues over justice policy legislation. By connecting reforms to economic growth and workforce priorities, we’ve been able to engage a wider range of legislators who might not have previously seen themselves as part of the broader smart justice policy movement.

Expungement & Record Sealing Reform: 21 bills in 12 states

Expanding access to expungement and record clearing are critical tools for improving workforce participation and reducing barriers to employment. These laws help businesses fill jobs in a tight labor market while also promoting economic mobility and equity for communities disproportionately impacted by the justice system.

Automatic expungement, also known as Clean Slate policies, simplifies the process so that second chances are not delayed or denied by red tape or legal complexity with a petition based process.

Three major Clean Slate laws we helped pass in Pennsylvania (2018 and 2023) and Minnesota (2023) are already making a significant impact:

Pennsylvania: More than 56 million records have been cleared, benefiting over 1.1 million people.
Minnesota: Although implementation is still in the early stages, courts have already expunged 207,171 records as of July 2025.

These numbers represent real progress and real lives improved through smart, practical reforms that expand opportunity.

Removing Barriers to Employment with Identification Access: 6 bills in 5 states

We have championed legislation in five states requiring state departments of corrections to provide individuals nearing release with essential documents, including a state ID or driver’s license (if eligible), Social Security card, birth certificate, and any certifications earned during incarceration. These documents are often prerequisites for employment, housing, and basic services.

Oklahoma led on this effort with the passage of the Sarah Stitt Act in 2019, and enacted an expansion of the bill this year that requires the department to equip those nearing release with a driver’s license as well.

Occupational Licensing Reform: 21 bills in 11 states

In many states, licensing boards can deny qualified applicants an occupational license or professional certification based solely on a years-old criminal conviction that has nothing to do with the job they’re seeking. These restrictions create major barriers to employment and prevent people from entering stable careers.

That’s beginning to change. In recent years, we’ve supported reforms that limit the ability of licensing boards to deny licenses based on old or unrelated criminal records and create clear pathways for individuals to pursue meaningful work.

Driver’s License Suspension Reforms: 20 bills in 14 states

In many states, people can lose their driver’s licenses for reasons unrelated to dangerous driving, such as unpaid traffic tickets, court fines, or child support. These debt-based suspensions force individuals into an impossible position: either break the law to get to work, buy groceries, or take their kids to school, or stay home and fall further behind.

A recent notable win in this policy area was achieved in Ohio with the passage of House Bill 29 in 2024. This bipartisan legislation was backed by a broad coalition of advocates and business leaders. It ends license suspensions for unpaid court fines and fees, both retroactively and automatically, and eliminates reinstatement fees.

The bill’s impact has been significant. So far:

$8.4 million in fees have been wiped out
429,501 debt-related suspensions and registration blocks have been lifted
About 7,100 Ohioans have had their licenses reinstated, and
170,000 drivers have been positively impacted

Community Supervision Reforms to Reduce Barriers to Work: 7 bills in 5 states

In recent years, states across the country have enacted a range of community supervision reforms aimed at improving outcomes for individuals on probation or parole. These efforts often focus on supporting successful reentry and reducing recidivism, while also strengthening local economies and workforce pipelines.

Key reforms include:

Expanding opportunities to earn time off supervision through employment and compliance
Implementing graduated sanctions for technical violations so they can maintain employment
Allowing individuals to move across counties while on probation if they have employment available
Many of these reforms not only support rehabilitation but also strengthen local economies and workforce pipelines

Fines and Fees Reform: 16 bills in 7 states

We see fines and fees reform as a form of workforce development. These policies remove financial and legal barriers that often prevent people from fully participating in the labor market. By reducing or eliminating debt burdens, individuals gain better access to job opportunities, are more likely to retain employment, and help build a more inclusive workforce.

The vast majority of smart justice policies we support include a strong workforce component. This National Workforce Development Month, we’re celebrating the many ways smart justice reform strengthens our economy and helps communities thrive.

NEWSLETTER: Celebrating Workforce Development Month with Second Chances That Work