Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Bill to Ban the Box on Job Applications

March 18, 2019

Denver, CO — The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted 3-to-2 to pass HB19-1025, Limits on Job Applicant Criminal History Inquiries, a bill sponsored by Senators Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) and Mike Foote (D-Lafayette). This legislation would prohibit employers from asking about criminal histories on job applications. This now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“I believe that people should take responsibility for their actions -- but once a crime is committed and a sentence is served, they should not be hobbled by it for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Foote. “This bill gives people a chance to move beyond the one-size-fits-all screening device that all too often prevents people from even making it to the job interview stage.”

In addition to asking about criminal history on initial job applications, this legislation would prohibit employers from advertising or stating that individuals with criminal histories cannot apply for certain positions.

“This legislation will help give Coloradans a second chance to rebuild their futures by making it easier for them to move forward in the job application process,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This is one of two bills I am sponsoring this session to make it easier for Coloradans who have already answered for their crimes to move on with their lives.”

HB19-1025 would take effect in September 2019 for large companies, those with 11 or more employees, and in September 2021 for all other companies. Exemptions to the legislation include certain jobs where criminal histories are not allowed, positions for which the law requires criminal history record checks, or employers that are trying to encourage employment of people with criminal histories.

For more information about this bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1025.

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