New Mexico bans the box for private employers

April 23, 2019

Earlier this month, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 96 (SB 96), the “Criminal Offender Employment Act”.

This bill will ‘ban the box‘ by prohibiting private employers in the state from inquiring about a job applicant’s arrest or conviction history on an initial employment application.

“Senate Bill 96, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would remove the so-called criminal history “box” from job applications, allows New Mexicans a fair opportunity at employment”, according to a quote from the Governor in the related press release.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that we create a pathway for individuals to contribute to our economy and to our communities.”

New Mexico becomes the latest in a long line of states implementing ‘ban the box’ legislation. Currently, 34 states and over 150 localities have enacted ‘ban the box‘ laws for public employers; approximately 13 states and 17 localities have extended such laws to private-sector employers, and some jurisdictions have extended such laws to government contractors.

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