JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi House passed a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would restore voting rights to people convicted of non-violent felonies.

According to the bill, ex-convicts would be granted suffrage five years from their original conviction date or five years after their release.

Bills similar to this one have been filed for years, but this is the first action taken by the House in more than a decade.

State Rep. Kabir Karriem (D-District 41), who authored the bill and other restoration bills, and State Rep. Price Wallace (R-District 77) discussed the impact the legislation would have if the governor signed it into law.

“One of our jobs is not only to represent our constituents and the people of Mississippi, but it’s also to provide hope. And this bill provides the hope that is needed for those who have been walking around with a scarlet letter ‘F’ on their chest for so long,” said Karriem.

“If they want to have a voice in their government, they’re out there working now. They’re trying to, you know, earn a living. And they don’t have a voice in their government. So, this allows them to have their voice,” said Wallace.

People who commit crimes such as perjury, forgery, theft or any crimes interpreted as disenfranchising would be granted suffrage.

The bill has been transmitted over to the Mississippi Senate for consideration.