Bill > HB231

This bill, known as the "Ban the Box for State Contracts Act," prohibits contractors working with the state from asking about a job applicant's criminal history on the initial job application form, unless a criminal background check is legally required for that specific position. However, contractors can still inquire about an applicant's criminal history later in the hiring process, such as during a face-to-face or video interview, or after a conditional job offer has been made. The bill also mandates that these contractors must provide a sworn affidavit confirming their compliance with this rule, and the state's chief procurement officer will inform state agencies about these requirements and can create further regulations to implement the act. This act applies to new state contracts and those modified after August 1, 2016, with exceptions for contracts prohibited by federal law, and allows political subdivisions to adopt similar rules.