In 2014, the District of Columbia joined a growing number of states and local jurisdictions (including Baltimore, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County in Maryland) that have adopted “ban-the- box” laws. The District’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act of 2014 (“the Act”), like other “ban-the-box” laws, prohibits many private employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history on a job application.
On February 17, Katie Wallat, staff attorney at Bread for the City, came to Southeast Ministry to provide information and training to SEM learners about the new “ban-the-box” laws.
The Act applies to employers with more than ten employees working in Washington, D.C. It prohibits those employers from inquiring about, or requiring an applicant to disclose, the applicant’s history of arrests or criminal accusations if those arrests or accusations have not resulted in a conviction, unless the charges are currently pending. It also prohibits employers from inquiring about, or requiring the applicant to disclose, criminal convictions until after the employer makes a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.
For more information about the Fair Criminal Record screening Amendment Act of 2014, please click here.
For additional resources on returning citizens and employment, please visit the DC Office of Human Rights’ webpage.
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