Idaho State Capitol – On Monday, Senate Judiciary and Rules printed Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb’s/(D-Boise) Fair Chance Employment legislation. The bill, sometimes called Ban the Box, would ask employers to eliminate the box on job applications that asks, “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?” Sen. Buckner-Webb has been working on this issue for several years, but she is hopeful that it will finally become law this year.
“Over the interim, I have been working closely with the ACLU of Idaho to educate legislators and the public on the importance of Fair Chance Employment.” Sen. Buckner-Webb explained. “There are thousands of unfilled jobs in Idaho that are important to the success of our communities, but businesses are coming to the legislature again and again telling us that they can’t find people to fill their open positions. We will be adding thousands of qualified, hard-working applicants back to the job pool if we stop turning away formerly-incarcerated Idahoans.”
Employers will still be allowed to ask about criminal history, but only after an initial review of their application and an interview.
“I want employers to see the skills that formerly-incarcerated Idahoans have before they turn them away. If someone’s past record will impact their job performance, then an employer still has the opportunity to change their mind.”
“Fair Chance Employment benefits everyone in the community. When we get jobs filled, our economy performs better. When we get formerly incarcerated Idahoans into steady employment, they have better access to housing and food, which discourages reoffending. When Idahoans have paid their debt to society, they deserve opportunities to reenter society and start giving back to the community.”