HB 460 — Official State Battleship.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 H 12 HOUSE BILL 460 Committee Substitute Favorable 5/6/19 Short Title:

FairOfficial ChanceState Hiring.Battleship.

Representatives Grange, Hardister, and R.

Turner (Primary Sponsors).

For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.

Judiciary, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 27, 2019 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT DIRECTINGADOPTING STATETHE AGENCIESUSS TONORTH ADJUSTCAROLINA EMPLOYMENT(BB-55) PRACTICESAS TOTHE REDUCEOFFICIAL BARRIERSSTATE TOBATTLESHIP. EMPLOYMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A CRIMINAL HISTORY.

TheWhereas, Generalthe AssemblyUSS of North Carolina enacts:(BB-55) became the first of 10 fast battleships to join the American fleet during World War II;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) was commissioned on April 9, 1941, and was considered the world's greatest sea weapon;

and Whereas, during the war, the crew of the USS North Carolina (BB-55) consisted of 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina(BB-55)served as atrainingvessel formidshipmen before being decommissioned on June 27, 1947;

and Whereas, in 1958, citizens of North Carolina began a statewide campaign known as Save Our Ship (SOS) to save the ship from being scrapped;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) was moored in Wilmington on October 2, 1961;

and Whereas, on April 29, 1962, the ship was dedicated as a historic landmark, a museum collecting and interpreting all ships named "North Carolina," and as a memorial to the World War II veterans and the 11,000 North Carolinians of all branches of service who died during the war;

and Whereas, in March 1986, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) became one of 22 ships to be registered as a national historic landmark;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) is a State historic site and a major tourist attraction, bringing in between $1.5 to $3.5 million annually to the State and local economy and attracting over 250,000 visitors;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) accounts for over 3,500 jobs in New Hanover County each year;

and Whereas, the USS North Carolina (BB-55) should be adopted as an official State symbol;

Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Article 6 of Chapter 126145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 126-20.145-53.

Official State agencybattleship. hiring practices;

criminalThe histories.Battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55) is adopted as the official warship of the State of North Carolina." *H460-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2019 SECTION 2.

(a)This Definitions.act is effective when it becomes law.

–Page The2 followingHouse definitionsBill apply460-Second inEdition this section:

(1) Applicant.

– Any individual considered for, or who requests to be considered for, employment with the State or any current State employee considered for, or who requests to be considered for, another position in State employment.

(2) Criminal history.

– A State or federal conviction of a crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony.

The term includes a record of arrests that have not resulted in a conviction and those that have resulted in a favorable disposition such as a dismissal or a verdict of not guilty.

(3) Inquiry.

– Anydirect or indirect conduct intended to gather information, using any mode of communication.

(b) Findings and Purpose.

– The General Assembly finds that the ability to procure meaningful employment is essential to reinstating good citizenship for individuals who have a criminal record.

The General Assembly declares that the State encourages the successful reintegration of people with a criminal history and recognizes that reducing barriers to employment for persons with a criminal history is a matter of statewide concern.

The purpose of this section is to implement hiring practices that will increase employment opportunities and will reduce recidivism and improve community stability.

(c) Scope.

– This section applies to all State agencies and positions in State government employment, except that this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A position for which State or federal law specificallydisqualifies an applicant with a record of conviction for one or more specified offenses.

(2) A position the duties of which are related to the investigation, apprehension, detention, or post-release supervision of individuals suspected or convicted of committing criminal offenses, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and probation and parole officers.