Philadelphia employers face new, stricter rules on using criminal background checks under recent amendments to the city’s Fair Chance (ban-the-box) law, effective in 2026. Employers must limit what records they consider — excluding older convictions, minor offenses, and sealed or expunged records — and conduct individualized risk assessments. They must also follow expanded notice requirements, give applicants time to respond, and update hiring practices to ensure compliance with the tightened regulations.
