The Florida Senate

435.07  Exemptions from disqualification.--Unless otherwise provided by law, the provisions of this section shall apply to exemptions from disqualification.

(1)  The appropriate licensing agency may grant to any employee otherwise disqualified from employment an exemption from disqualification for:

(a)  Felonies committed more than 3 years prior to the date of disqualification;

(b)  Misdemeanors prohibited under any of the Florida Statutes cited in this chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions;

(c)  Offenses that were felonies when committed but are now misdemeanors;

(d)  Findings of delinquency; or

(e)  Commissions of acts of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.30

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "felonies" means both felonies prohibited under any of the Florida Statutes cited in this chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions.

(2)  Persons employed by treatment providers who treat adolescents 13 years of age and older who are disqualified from employment solely because of crimes under s. 817.563, s. 893.13, or s. 893.147 may be exempted from disqualification from employment pursuant to this section without the 3-year waiting period.

(3)  In order for a licensing department to grant an exemption to any employee, the employee must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the employee should not be disqualified from employment. Employees seeking an exemption have the burden of setting forth sufficient evidence of rehabilitation, including, but not limited to, the circumstances surrounding the criminal incident for which an exemption is sought, the time period that has elapsed since the incident, the nature of the harm caused to the victim, and the history of the employee since the incident, or any other evidence or circumstances indicating that the employee will not present a danger if continued employment is allowed. The decision of the licensing department regarding an exemption may be contested through the hearing procedures set forth in chapter 120.

(4)  Disqualification from employment under subsection (1) may not be removed from, nor may an exemption be granted to, any personnel who is found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or who has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any felony covered by s. 435.03 solely by reason of any pardon, executive clemency, or restoration of civil rights.

(5)  Exemptions granted by one licensing agency shall be considered by subsequent licensing agencies, but are not binding on the subsequent licensing agency.

History.--s. 47, ch. 95-228; s. 47, ch. 2000-349; s. 64, ch. 2001-62; s. 29, ch. 2004-267; s. 9, ch. 2005-128.