State lawmakers will take a final vote next week on legislation that could change the lives of tens of thousands of people.

The "Second Chance Act" would allow people convicted of certain felonies to expunge their records if their past crime wasn't violent and didn't involve a sex crime or impaired driving. They also need to have had at least a decade without any criminal charges against them.

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According to the American Conservative Union, one in four North Carolinians have a criminal record. A felony record creates many hardships for people:

  • It can be a reason for not getting a job and make it tougher to get into a school or training program.
    • It's more difficult to get a loan for school or to start a business.
      • It's harder to lease a place to live.

        Lynn Burke went to prison 22 years ago for theft.

        "I stole food and clothing so I could try to keep my children from being sent to foster care," Burke said this week after speaking with lawmakers about the Second Chance Act. "My mother had passed away, and I didn’t have any means to take care of my family. I couldn’t think of anything else to do. I was 24 years old – stupid stuff."

        After she got out of prison, Burke raised her children and put herself through college and law school. She’s now a licensed attorney in Washington, D.C., but she can’t get a law license in North Carolina because of her record.

        Expunging a felony under the Second Chance Act wouldn't be automatic. A judge would have to approve it.

        But lawmakers said it will help people like Burke re-enter the workforce and support themselves and their families.

        "I believe we are all called, that we all make mistakes and are called to create a state and world where people can make up for those mistakes and move on," said Rep. Ashton Clemmons, D-Guilford.

        In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the House and the Senate have both approved the bill unanimously. After a final vote next week, it goes to Gov. Roy Cooper.

        Burke says it will change her life once it's signed into law.

        "I can represent people that have been through things like I have and to know that doesn’t make you be a bad person and to give us another chance," she said.

        The House will also vote on a bill next week to allow judges to send first-time drug offenders to treatment instead of jail. House leaders say they are looking for ways to improve racial equity in the justice system.