Four New Laws Within 40 Miles: The Washington, DC Area Accelerates the "Ban-the-Box" Movement

The Washington, DC area has become the leading edge of the "ban-the-box" movement, with four new ban-the-box laws applicable to private employers enacted in the past six months.  Baltimore, Maryland, started the trend when the City enacted an ordinance banning the box on May 15, 2014. Washington, DC and Montgomery County, Maryland, followed, passing legislation on August 28, 2014, and October 28, 2014, respectively.  On November 19, 2014, Prince George's County, Maryland, became the latest jurisdiction to ban the box.  These laws "ban" the criminal history check box by prohibiting employers from asking about an applicant's criminal record on the initial employment application.  Moreover, as discussed below, these laws impose additional and varying requirements creating significant compliance challenges for multi-jurisdictional employers. Continue reading this article here.

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