Denton, Texas, is considering a ban-the-box law, which the City Council will vote on in January. The new law would prohibit discriminatory actions against people with a criminal record. For example, it would prevent employers from discouraging them from applying and stop them from rejecting applicants based on these records. 

What It Does

Passing the ban-the-box law could improve your chances of obtaining employment if you have a criminal record. It would ban employers from seeing various information that could result in illegal discrimination. However, this depends on whether the City Council passes the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance under review. These activities include: 

• “Publishing information that states or implies that criminal history is an automatic disqualifier for employment;
• Soliciting or otherwise inquiring about criminal history on a job application;
• Soliciting criminal history information or considering criminal history before a conditional employment offer;
• Refusing to consider an applicant because the applicant did not provide criminal history before a conditional employment offer or
• Taking adverse action against an individual due to criminal history, unless the individual proves unsuitable for the job based on an individualized assessment.”

This new law would ban employers from asking about your criminal history in most cases. However, there is an exception for situations involving state or federal laws. Employers may inquire about your criminal background when state or federal law requires them to ask about it.

Examples of these laws applying include childcare or public safety jobs. Employers can also inquire about criminal records if doing so would not have a disparate or discriminatory impact. As such, you may encounter employers who ask about your criminal record when applying for some jobs.

How It Affects You

Should the new ban-the-box ordinance pass, it will become part of the current Non-Discrimination Ordinance. As such, the city would follow the same procedures for addressing complaints about ordinance violations as existing provisions. These complaints would go to the Equal Opportunity Commission or other federal or state agencies when appropriate. Otherwise, the city would investigate the complaint and try to settle it. If the city fails, the complaint could go to the City Prosecutor for a review and possibly a Class C misdemeanor citation.

This ordinance could benefit Denton residents by improving their job opportunities. However, the ban-the-box law has yet to pass. Before passage, the city will request five feedback sessions. It will also request a public hearing before January’s vote on the ordinance. Anyone interested can provide feedback during these sessions.

Passing the ban-the-box ordinance could improve your chances of obtaining work. For example, it would allow you to convince potential employers of your potential before they learn about your criminal record. Another way to improve your chances is by conducting a self-background check. A self-check allows you to review what potential employers will see. Doing so lets you correct errors in the report and prepare to explain any negative information.

Click here to run a self-background check to prepare for your next job interview.

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Oklahoma legislators may attempt to pass legislation that helps those with past felonies in the next session. This attempt would improve job opportunities for individuals who have served their time. The Bill under consideration is Senate Bill 1077, also known as Ban-the-Box legislation.

What is Ban-the-Box 

Passing the Ban-the-Box legislation could prove beneficial if you have a felony on your record. For example, it would help address the challenges of getting a job or housing. Ban-the-Box prohibits employers from asking if you have a felony on an application. It also prevents them from asking during the hiring process. 

However, a prospective employer can still request permission to conduct a background screening. According to the Ban-the-Box legislation, employers may request a check after offering a conditional employment offer. It would also require employers with a policy of refusing to hire ex-felons to disclose this information on their job applications.

The Senate Business and Commerce Committee had passed a Ban-the-Box legislation previously. Unfortunately, it never received a hearing on the Senate floor. As such, Sen. Jack Stewart stated that he would push the legislation again during this session. However, he suspects the legislation will receive amendments.

How It Helps

Ban-the-Box laws can help many people, as an estimated 70 million U.S. residents have a conviction or arrest on their records. These criminal records have prevented many from acquiring employment or housing. As such, many states and counties have worked to ease these burdens through Ban-the-Box legislation. They hope to support the efforts of affected individuals to reintegrate into society.

Approximately 35 states and 150 cities and counties have Ban-the-Box laws. However, some participants enacted the legislation through executive orders. For example, a former Oklahoma governor signed one such executive order in 2016. This order required state agencies to remove any questions concerning criminal histories or convictions from their job applications. 

Many Ban-the-Box laws include exceptions for specific situations. For example, employers may inquire about criminal history during interviews. They can also conduct background checks after making a conditional job offer. Regardless, these laws can significantly improve your chances of pursuing job opportunities in state agencies. This improvement may soon apply to the private sector as well.

Passing the Ban-the-Box legislation could help many people in Oklahoma. However, employers can still perform background checks. As such, running a self-background check could prepare you for questions in the interview process or later. A self-check also allows you to correct your records before employers get the wrong information.

Try running a self background check today and give yourself a head start on your next job opportunity.

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Job applicants for Monroe County government may soon notice a change in the hiring process. For example, those with criminal convictions no longer have to disclose their background on applications. This change is because the Monroe County government recently implemented “ban the box” regulations.

This legislation, the Monroe County Fair Chance Employment Act, prohibits local government positions from inquiring about criminal backgrounds. As such, applications will not have check boxes for applicants to indicate whether they have a prior criminal history. Legislators across the aisle came together in a 20-9 vote to approve this Act. They hope it will eliminate the significant roadblock for many potential applicants.

What It Does

Monroe County’s Commission on Racial and Structural Equity report from 2021 recommended implementing rules like this to address concerns about inequality in county governance. Proponents of the Act note that applicants of color frequently face disproportionate disadvantages when disclosing criminal records. As such, this “ban the box” rule could open employment opportunities by prohibiting employers from asking about criminal history. 

However, the Act did include exceptions. For example, the Act does not eliminate the ability to inquire about criminal backgrounds. Instead, the county must offer conditional employment before running a background check. It also exempts law enforcement positions because these follow stricter background check requirements.

Monroe County’s Fair Chance Employment Act is part of a national “ban the box” trend. Like other local governments, the county introduced laws that limit employers’ ability to inquire about candidates’ criminal histories. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, most states and over 100 cities have enacted similar regulations. 

Expected Effect

Many legislators hope this “ban the box” law will ease the struggles of job seekers with criminal records. Many agree that acquiring work improves the individuals’ odds of reforming. Others hope it will also prevent the derailing of careers for candidates with minor offenses. Unfortunately, many candidates believe their record automatically disqualifies them from civil service; thus, they never apply. However, “ban the box” works against that perception. 

As a result, those seeking employment in Monroe County with a criminal history can now confidently apply to county jobs. Applicants for other work or outside Monroe County can look forward to “ban the box” laws growing in popularity and spreading in reach. Regardless of whether “ban the box” applies, applicants should conduct self-background checks before applying for jobs. This step allows you to correct errors and prepare explanations for any negative information.

Discover more about our reliable and secure self-background check. Contact a sales rep today.

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