In addition to the reasons stated in the prior comments, I find it unsettling that the Virginia legislature has adopted a bright line rule barring individuals with non-violent felonies from participating in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs. Such a law is a direct reflection of the legislature's view that (a) its penal system is either not capable or not attempting to rehabilite its offenders and (b) that felonious activity is irredeemable. As such, it continues to punish offenders well after the individual has served his or her punishment. But people make mistakes. People can change. And people do change. And for that very reason it would be wise to remove the current bright line rule and instead adopt a case-by-case approach using the considerations illustrated previously. Instead of withholding individuals from contributing to society, we should be investing in them.