Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes Assembly Bill 1025

CALSAGA learned late Sunday that Assembly Bill 1025, authored by Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D – Los Angeles) who is a friend of our industry and CALSAGA, was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.  AB 1025 would have permitted individuals previously convicted of crimes to work in a regulated profession. 

While CALSAGA supports the author’s intent to increase jobs to constituents in her district, as well as offering rehabilitated individuals a chance at gainful employment, we were concerned that the bill took away a licensing entity’s discretion to deny a license or take other licensing actions.  Additionally, the bill put the burden of proof on state licensing bodies to show that an individual is not rehabilitated, which could result in increased litigation. 

Security officers in California need close scrutiny due to the nature of the work.  CALSAGA was concerned that this bill could potentially compromise public safety, as well as roll back much of the work we have done in recent years to professionalize the industry with background checking and training standards.

To read the Governor’s veto message, click here.