The report describes a project, the National Clearinghouse on Offender Employment Restrictions, designed to develop a program to help in the removal of formal barriers to job opportunities for ex-offenders. The report describes the project's effort in gathering research and development materials relating to licensing restrictions and other employment problems of ex-offenders; packaging and distributing such materials to bar associations and other groups; conducting workshops, panels, and conferences; and providing consultative services in the removal of such restrictions. The report also summarizes State efforts to alleviate ex-offender employment restrictions in the 21 States where restrictions have been removed and in the 26 States and the District of Columbia where legislative action is pending or has been defeated. The report finally examines the general effect of remedial legislation in the 21 States where it is in effect and discusses specific effects of such legislation in Connecticut, New Jersey, Arkansas, Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and Hawaii. (JR)