Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits public institutions of higher education from asking about an individual's criminal record during the application process and from denying admission based on criminal history.

Highlights:

• Establishes that no public institution of higher education is to utilize an institution-specific admissions application that contains questions about the criminal history of the applicant or deny admission to any applicant solely based on any criminal history information provided by the applicant on any third-party admissions application accepted by the institution (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any public institution of higher education that requires each student to enroll in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as a condition of enrollment may inquire into the criminal history of any applicant before the applicant recieves a conditional offer of acceptance to determine his eligibility to accept a commission in the Armed Forces of the United States (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that nothing in this section is to be construed to prohibit a public institution of higher education from inquiring into the criminal history of any individual who has been admitted to but has yet to enroll at the institution (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that any public institution of higher education may withdraw an offer of admission to any individual whom the institution subsequently determines to have a criminal history that poses a threat to the institution's community (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that the provisions of this act are to become effective on January 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text