As Ban the Box efforts increase across the U.S., it can be difficult to keep up-to-date on all the laws that have been passed by cities, states and counties. But it’s important for employers to do so, if they want to be in compliance with those laws.
Novato, Calif.-based ESR (Employment Screening Resources), a global background check organization, has created a Ban the Box Resource Center to help educate employers on how to deal with Ban the Box laws and regulations.
The resources include:
An interactive map of the U.S. Just click on any state to see if there’s a state Ban the Box bill or bills and when they were passed. It also includes all cities and counties that have Ban the Box legislation. According to the map:
- 11 states – California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont – now have state Ban the Box laws for both public and private employers.
- 10 states have no Ban the Box laws whatsoever.
- The rest have either Ban the Box laws for public employees or for cities and/or counties.
A downloadable Ban the Box Resource Guide for States, Counties and Cities. This guide lists the 31 states and more than 150 cities and counties that have established Ban the Box legislation. The list includes links to the various bills and executive orders, so it’s possible to see the exact wording of the laws. It also includes Ban the Box laws created by several cities.
Several whitepapers. These include a general overview of the history and development of Ban the Box legislation and White House and private corporate efforts in this area. Another whitepaper outlines 10 steps that those with criminal records can take to help them get back in the workforce,
A series of infographics. These downloadable infographic reports highlight how California, Los Angeles and San Francisco have handled their Ban the Box efforts.
Together what ESR has created is a great resource for anyone who needs to be aware of Ban the Box laws, wherever they may be located. It might also inspire other city, county and state governments to establish laws of their own.
