Job applications without criminal history questions help increase hiring of former prisoners A study shows that removing questions about criminal history from job applications is having a positive effect on re-entering the workforce for Americans with criminal histories. Known as fair chance laws or "Ban-the-Box", a study has reported that residents in high-crime U.S. neighborhoods have seen an increase in employment by up to four percent. "The finding has significant crimina

Senate bill 5312 - 2017-18, the Washington Fair Chance Act, will take effect 06/07/2018. Commonly known as Ban the Box, the bill will prohibit certain employers from asking about an applicant's criminal record before an applicant is deemed otherwise qualified for a position. The law does include exceptions, such as for employers who are required by federal or state law or for positions that include unsupervised access to children under the age of eighteen or vulnerable adults

The California State legislature has introduced a bill, AB-1008, which, among other provisions, would make it unlawful for an employer to include on any application for employment, to inquire about an applicant's prior criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made. If an employer does make a determination (after a required individualized assessment) to deny an applicant for employment, employers would be required to follow much stricter guidelines tha

North Carolina state legislators have filed a bill that would enact "Ban-the-Box" legislation for government jobs in city, county, and state agencies. Ban the box legislation, also often referred to as Fair Chance legislation, aims to remove the portion of a job application that inquires as to an applicant's criminal history. In North Carolina, the bill would prevent a city, county, or state agency from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history before interviewing the

Albany County is following several over New York counties in enacting "ban-the-box" legislation for county positions. Although there will be exceptions to the new law, such as working the sheriff's department, the county has already removed the question from qualifying job applications and the new law makes the decision by county Executive Dan McCoy made July 2016 official. Please read more by clicking here. "Albany County Legislature Votes to Ban The Box on Job Applications

Kentucky Governor, Matt Bevin, has issued an executive order, known as the Fair Chance Employment Initiative, removing conviction questions from all executive branch job applications. Governor Bevin is quoted as saying: “Ours is a nation of second chances, founded upon core principles that include mercy and redemption. The simple act of removing this box will help to level the playing field for all applicants, and it is my sincere hope that many of the private employers in

The “box” is the part of a job application that asks whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime. Proponents of the law want individuals with convictions to have a fair chance to work while some critics suggest the laws accomplish the opposite. Please read more by clicking here. "Do Ban-the-Box Laws Work?" Lisa Nagele-Piazza | Society for Human Resource Management #BantheBox

Los Angeles joins more than 150 jurisdictions in enacting “ban the box” or “Fair Chance Hiring” ordinances. The ordinance went into effect January 22. Please read more by clicking here. "New Ban-The Box Ordinance Affects Background Checks in Los Angeles" Gail Cecchettini Whaley | HR Watchdog #LosAngeles #Laws #BantheBox