CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM
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Petitioner: |
Jessica Colvin, Chief Financial Officer |
Recommendation:
title
Authorize the award of $250,000 of Clark County marijuana fees to fund the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Clean Slate Legal Assistance Project; authorize the County Manager or her designee to execute the required grant resolution per NRS 244.1505; or take other action deemed appropriate. (For possible action)
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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Fund #: |
1010.000 |
Fund Name: |
General Fund |
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Fund Center: |
N/A |
Funded PGM/Grant: |
N/A |
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Amount: |
$250,000 |
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Description: |
Clark County marijuana fees |
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Additional Comments: |
N/A |
BACKGROUND:
Previously convicted individuals are often prevented from obtaining sustainable employment with a livable wage as employers refuse to employ applicants with a criminal record. There are a variety of criminal history records that are eligible to be sealed that would allow individuals to seek and gain employment without disclosing a criminal record. The population eligible for record sealing is largely African American, male, low-income, with lower rates of educational attainment, compared to the overall population. Sealing eligible criminal records provides stability for individuals and families, which benefits overall community stability; however, it involves a procedurally complicated process. The Legal Aid Center currently provides record sealing assistance through the Clean Slate Legal Assistance Project, although assistance has been limited to a fraction of eligible candidates due to limited funding.
Clark County marijuana fees of $250,000 would allow The Legal Aid Center to expand the Clean Slate Legal Assistance Project to assist an estimated 250 individuals with income under 200% of the federal poverty rate through December 31, 2023. Priority will be given to (1) individuals who have secured employment conditional upon criminal record sealing, (2) individuals trying to obtain a public benefit, or (3) individuals with convictions preventing self-sufficiency.