Dan Satterberg is working with Rep. Brady Walkinshaw (D-43rd) and Columbia Legal Services on ESHB 1553, the “CROP” bill.  CROP stands for “Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity,” and creates a process whereby someone who has been convicted of a crime and who has complied with all parts of the sentence can petition the court for a certificate that proves they have paid their debt to society.  Once a person has obtained a CROP, they can apply for one of over 90 professional occupational licenses that they would otherwise be barred from seeking due to their conviction.

If you have a felony conviction on your record in Washington, these are just some of the occupations you currently cannot seek:  commercial fisherman, home inspector, vehicle wrecker, lead-based paint remover, limo driver, real estate broker, boat pilot, CPA, whitewater river outfitter, veterinary tech, chiropractor, cosmetologist, tattoo artist.

If the Senate passes ESSB 1553, a person who has served all parts of the sentence can apply for a CROP that will allow them to then apply for a license required to seek one of these jobs.  Today, about 60 percent of people released from prison remain unemployed a year later.  CROP is a start to recognizing that formerly incarcerated people need good jobs to support their reentry into society. See this guest opinion piece that ran in The Seattle Times while CROP was being heard in the House.