State Rep. Howard pushes criminal expungement bill

State Rep. Howard pushes criminal expungement bill

State Rep. Constance "Connie" Howard (D-32nd) is urging African Americans to lobby her white peers to support legislation that if passed will help expunge criminal records for certain crimes so ex-offenders can find employment.

That, she said during WVON's "Mo in the Midday" show, is needed so people of color can obtain employment once they've served their time.

Howard, who introduced HB-2033, had to amend it under HB-3654. She admitted it was "watered down" by her opponents to eliminating just misdemeanors.

"The initial bill called for greater time periods, those with misdemeanors could expunge their records …