Ban the box legislation to take effect in Louisiana on August 1

ban the box law allows employers to ask about criminal history during interviews and perform criminal background checks on applicants. This new legislation will take effect August 1, 2016. The National Employment Law Project estimates 70 million American adults have arrests or convictions in their past that can make it difficult for them to obtain employment. The ban the box movement has set out to give this segment a better chance or reintegration and employment by limiting what employers can ask job applicants during the application process. According to a study released in February by the Alliance for a Just Society, Louisiana puts the most restrictions in the nation on employment for felons. The state has 389 legal restrictions in place that could affect a felons ability to get a job; the national average is 123. While some restrictions are necessary, over-regulating what ex-inmates can do to make a living isn’t smart. In a major push to reform federal employment policies last year, President Obama signed an Executive Order that would prohibit federal employers from asking job applicants questions about potential criminal records until significantly later in the hiring process. “Ban the box” policies have now been implemented in some form in 21 states across the country. Take a look at our full reporting on the ban the box movement.]]>