“Ban the Box” (H 5101)

In March the ACLU testified before the House labor committee in support of a bill that would bar employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history before determining whether or not they are a qualified candidate for the job.  The ACLU testified that, in addition to other provisions, the elimination of a question on initial job applications regarding past convictions, “the box,” would make it easier for qualified individuals who have a criminal history to find jobs, thereby greatly promoting rehabilitative efforts.  The bill failed to progress out of committee.