Bill > HB128

This bill, known as the Ban the Box - The Criminal Record Employment Discrimination Act, aims to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal histories by prohibiting employers from asking about or considering an applicant's criminal record during the initial job application process. Specifically, employers cannot request criminal history information until after an applicant has been selected for an interview or received a conditional job offer. The bill recognizes that people with criminal records should have meaningful employment opportunities and not face ongoing discrimination. There are several key exceptions to this rule, including jobs in law enforcement, positions that legally require background checks, roles where a criminal background automatically disqualifies an applicant under existing laws, and positions requiring fidelity bonds that would be denied due to criminal convictions. Employers are still allowed to discuss criminal history during interviews and can notify applicants about existing legal disqualifications related to criminal backgrounds. The legislation is designed to give job applicants with criminal records a fair chance to be considered based on their qualifications before their past is taken into account.

Business and Industry

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb128.html