Is she still subject to the terms of a probation? I could see that as an issue. Those were all misdemeanors, so I'm thinking the answer is no. I'm left with what the hell is wrong with Pennsylvania?

The state sells liquor from state-owned stores, so that's one thing...

I have to agree with IRA. If she was still under probation you could stretch this out as part of her punishment. A stupid idea but barely morally justifiable. But most likely it is just bad law.

It is one of those funny things. People need to justify their jobs. So if your politicians get together a lot they do a lot of things to justify having them there. But truth be told we don't need more laws. We need good laws. So having your officials meet as little as possible tends to have the best effect on governance.

Every profession / occupation wants a degree of prestige. One way to do this is to have high entry standards.

So, form a lobbying group and pressure the license board to implement the higher entry standards, including no criminal record.

For example, there is talk among real estate boards to require a college education for real estate agent licensees. Is it necessary? No. But if you want to be considered a profession, like law, medicine, engineering, or architecture, you need to require more than just a pulse and a GED to get a license. You need to elevate the level of your licensees.

It's not that the customers don't want a ex-con doing their nails, hair, skin, etc. It's that the other technicians want to cut down the competition and don't want it getting around that anyone can do their jobs with just a little training.

Happily Institute fo Justice has a great track record on cases like thus.

They won't let her work in a salon, but I bet she'd have no trouble getting a gun.

Totally agree that she should be able to move on as she seems to have improved herself and is not the same misbehaving person that she was.

But, I do have to ask. If it is routine that those with criminal records cannot take the necessary tests to get a license - why the hell is the school taking her money and not warning her about this up front!

Until the law is changed I think the school should have some responsibility to warn students that if they have a criminal record then all the classes in the world won't allow them to practice the profession they want to go into.

Actually, Steve, she assaulted a security guard. Under the Lautenberg Amendment, which is still in force, as far as I know, she wouldn't be able to procure a regulated firearm, due to the assault.

As far as her work situation goes, I signed her petition. They were misdemeanors, for Heaven's sake!

If you are talking Felon in Possession, you have to commit a felony. As far as I know, she has yet to commit any felonies.

"The Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, often called "the Lautenberg Amendment", is an amendment to the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, enacted by the 104th United States Congress in 1996, which bans access to firearms by people convicted of crimes of domestic violence."

So "actually", no.

My guess is that it is the drug paraphernalia that is bothering them the most. I didn't find a concise source of information for PA. Where I used to live, Cosmetologists (of which esthetician is a lesser license) were allowed to use lots of chemicals that one was not allowed without a license (at least commercially). I would not be surprised if some of those chemicals are useful for drugs.Note that barber licenses only allow them to cut hair and use sanitary products. They need additional license to do things like color hair with a few products grand-father in.

I even seen a number of articles in the last year or so about how people get screwed by any criminal record. The one that struck me had an interview with a lady who ran a small eatery who wanted to support such individuals by hiring them but could not because her insurance want astronomical.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I'm in the same boat. I'm a convicted felon, but I'm also a fairly successful IT guy. Today. I wasn't, a decade ago.

I remember reading a news story, some years ago (and I can't vouch for the accuracy of that story) about a rehab program in New York State prisons, that involved inmates studying for a barber's license. And they would do the course, and qualify. But then they would find out, upon release, that New York State would not grant a license to open a barber shop, or even be a barber as an employee of a shop, to convicted felons.

What the fuck? I don't know, that's all I have to say. Here's some guy who decided to acquire a skill so he could go straight, and the state wouldn't let him. Hey, big surprise, he ends up becoming a recidivist.

Mey, someone gave me a shot. And now I'm OK. I own my own home, I make a living, and I'm (I hope and pray) a good father to my children.

But let's stop this insane thing we do where every conviction results in a life sentence. Where every idiot (like me) who broke the law is barred, forever, from re-entering society.

Jesus fucking Christ. I'm a Christian (specifically Catholic). Let's listen to what Christ actually said.

And I should add, I met a woman who took a chance on someone with my background, and is now my wife and the mother of my children. So it's not just the law, but guys like me, who fucked up at some point, are lucky if they meet someone who can see past the past (yes, awkward language, I'm not a great writer) and look to the future.

So thank God, and the woman who married me. And my children, who changed my life beyond my ability to explain here.

"I bet she'd have no trouble getting a gun."

I'll take that bet.

Ironically, there is no test nor degree needed to be a politician, even gov or pres. Laws are for the little people.
These laws actively keep the poor down.

"Every profession / occupation wants a degree of prestige. One way to do this is to have high entry standards."

Prestige, schmestige. Nor is it about the chemicals they handle, all of which can be readily bought as cleaning and first aid products.

It's about nothing more than supply and demand - limiting supply to maintain higher earnings for those already holding licenses. That's what professional licensing and guilds have always existed. It's just another way to reduce the number of practioners and drive up the price of their services - an especially good one, since those with a sordid past would have to discount steeply to overcome the marketing impact of their bad reputations.