Showing Posts In "Fair Chance Hiring, Second Chance Hiring, Expungements, Hiring People with Criminal Records, and Clean Slate" Category

Advancing Second Chances: Clean Slate and Other Record Reforms in 2023

This year’s CCRC report on last year’s legislative enactments, “Advancing Second Chances: Clean Slate and Other Record Reforms in 2023,” is one of a series that references more than 500 new record reforms that were enacted by all but two states. Just last year, the District of Columbia and the federal government enacted 36 separate […]

New Pennsylvania Legislation and Philadelphia Ordinance Amendment Tackle Pardoned Convictions, Expunged Records, and Negligent Hiring Liability

Pennsylvania’s House Bill No. 689, effective February 12, 2024, amends Pennsylvania law relating to the expungement of certain criminal records information and employer immunity when hiring individuals with expunged records. The law does three main things: 1. Immunizes employers from liability for any claim related to the effects of expunged records or the lawful use […]

Connecticut’s Clean Slate Law Will Wipe 81K Records in January

81,000 Connecticut residents will soon have their criminal records automatically erased as part of the state’s 2021 Clean Slate law. The move will mean a chance for better job opportunities and school acceptance for those with records. Those with more serious felony records will have an avenue through the Board of Pardons and Paroles, according […]

3 Myths About Hiring People with Criminal Records

Hiring managers often refrain from hiring those with criminal backgrounds for several reasons: fear of the person committing another crime, fear of negligent hiring lawsuits, and fear of customer reactions or how other employees will respond. But fair chance or second chance laws across the country are offering a triple win: 1. Employers get workers, […]

New York will Automatically Seal Old Criminal Records Under a New Law Signed by Gov. Hochul

A newly signed bill will seal the criminal records of New Yorkers who complete their sentences and stay out of trouble for a certain period of time. State lawmakers passed the bill in June on a party-line vote and advocates say it will help those with past convictions secure jobs, housing, and education.

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Candidate-Friendly Background Screening: How to Ensure Fairness and Transparency in the Hiring Process

Fairness and transparency are crucial when it comes to hiring to ensure equality. A diverse workforce leads to different perspectives, innovative ideas, and better business outcomes. Transparency also builds trust and can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, while fairness promotes employee engagement and retention. Traditional background screening processes can unfairly impact candidates from […]

An Employer’s Guide to Successful Fair Chance Hiring

An Employer’s Guide to Successful Fair Chance Hiring provides an in-depth evaluation of both the challenges and potential of reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce. This includes key barriers to entry for this population of workers; the economic, communal, and organizational consequences of recidivism; and tools, resources, and actionable steps that policymakers and/or small […]

Bill to Expunge Non-Violent Crimes Passes

SB 111, also known as The New Endings and Opportunities Act, has been passed by Louisiana Legislature. The bill, which is designed to benefit around 1.3 million Louisiana citizens who are currently eligible for expungement of non-violent crimes from their records, emphasizes the need for system upgrades within the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and […]

Background Checks Stall Due to Clean Slate Law Backlog

Since Michigan’s Clean Slate Law went into effect in April, several courts have blocked the public from searching for court records online, creating a significant backlog. The law is affecting the ability of background screening companies to process background checks since the information has been removed from the Public Access Terminal.

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What CRAs Should Know About California’s SB 731

California’s SB 731 is expected to primarily involve an increase in the number of cases eligible for relief under PC 1203.425 compared to those covered under PC 1203.4. The former will be handled through monthly audits conducted by the California Department of Justice, which could take several years to complete. CRAs should consider treating PC […]