A Senate panel has cleared a bill that would allow counties and municipalities to reward businesses for hiring former prisoners. The bill was approved 7-4 mostly along party lines. If it becomes law, counties and towns would be able to set aside a certain amount of public contracts for companies that employ former prisoners.

“It’s difficult for most of us who have college degrees and a great deal of job experience to find jobs in these times. It’s especially difficult for people who may have made a mistake in life, been incarcerated, and then come back in society,” said Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson), the bill’s main sponsor. “We want to give these people an opportunity.” Read more in Star Ledger.