by Madeleine List - Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE — Mark Gonsalves knows that as a licensed social worker or case manager, he could do even more to help people with mental health conditions and substance-use disorders. But his criminal record, which includes multiple drug- and alcohol-related charges and a history of on-and-off incarceration dating back to 1988, has held him back from obtaining the occupational licenses he needs. A bill passed last week by the General Assembly is about to change that.