#BantheBox passes here in Washington, D.C.! Yesterday, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a bill that will restrict when an employer is able to ask a job applicant about their criminal history. An employer may only ask about an applicants criminal history after a conditional offer of employment has been made under the bill, which was introduced by Councilmember Tommy Wells. At that point, youve already shown youre qualified for the job and now you get a chance to explain yourself, said Wells. That provision was stripped in committee — leaving it seriously compromised, according to advocates — but restored by an amendment from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. This is critically important, McDuffie said in a statement. It allows returning citizens to be judged on their merits prior to consideration of their past. With 8,000 community members returning to D.C. from prison each year, one of the biggest challenges they face is the job market – not a lack of jobs, but being excluded from consideration for many due to their criminal record. The bill now heads to Mayor Vince Gray for a signature and then to Congress for review. Gaining employment is one of the most significant barriers facing returning citizens, Wells said in a statement. This legislation is a vital step toward addressing that challenge and I commend my colleagues for their diligence and commitment to ensuring passage of this bill prior to Council recess.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:10:17 +0000