California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill allowing prisoners who fight fires while incarcerated to have their records expunged once they’re released.
That would clear a path for the inmates to become regular firefighters, something they were unable to do previously.
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Assemb. Eloise Reyes, lets prisoners who served in a state firefighting camp or on a county fire hand crew apply to the court to erase their convictions so they can qualify as EMTs, Politico reported Friday.
The Golden State has long relied on inmates to fight fires and approximately 3,100 inmates helped keep flames at bay last year.