In January 2018, California will join several other states and major cities who have prohibited private employers from asking candidates about their criminal histories before an offer has been made. Inquiries will be acceptable only after an offer has been made. More specifically, the law makes it unlawful for California employers with five or more employees to include any questions regarding conviction history; inquire into or consider an applicants criminal history before a conditional offer has been made; and consider, distribute, or disseminate information relating to arrests that didnt result in conviction, referral to a diversion program or convictions that have been sealed, dismissed, expunged or statutorily erased.
