City aldermen OK ‘ban the box’ employment bill – By Jacob Kirn (St. Louis Business Journal) / Jan 10 2020
St. Louis aldermen gave final approval Friday to a bill that would prohibit city employers from asking about job applicants’ criminal histories — except in certain circumstances. The legislation, often called “ban the box” and sponsored by Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, passed 25-0.
The legislation said it would prohibit employers from basing job hiring or promotion decisions on applicants’ criminal histories “unless an employer can demonstrate their decision is based on all available information including the frequency, recentness and severity of a criminal history and that the history is reasonably related to or bears upon the duties and responsibilities of the position.”
It also would allow employers to ask about criminal histories only after applicants have been interviewed. “Except such an inquiry may be made of all applicants in the final selection pool from which the position will be filled,” a summary said.
The city’s license collector, Mavis Thompson, would be responsible for enforcing the bill’s prohibitions. After three violations, the license collector could revoke a business’ license to operate.
A spokesman for Mayor Lyda Krewson said “it’s under review” when asked whether she’ll sign the legislation.
Continue to article: https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/01/10/city-aldermen-ok-ban-the-box-employment-bill.html
