Senate Passes Bill to “Ban the Box” on Job Applications

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-12 with 3 excused 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) to prohibit employers from asking about criminal histories on initial job applications. The bill is now headed to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“People make mistakes, and they deserve the opportunity to move on with their lives after they have answered for their crimes. The best way to help these folks rehabilitate and reenter society is by making it easier for them to find a job and work hard to rebuild their lives,” said Senator Rodriguez. “I’m proud that the Senate took this important step to ‘ban the box’ and give Coloradans a second chance.”

“Too often, our job application processes prevent Coloradans with criminal records from making it beyond the initial application stage,” said Senator Foote. “Once you make amends for a crime, I do not believe that history should weigh you down forever, especially on every first impression. Giving people this chance to compete will allow them to remake their futures and contribute to our communities.”

This bill would prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications as well as from advertising or stating that individuals with criminal histories cannot apply for certain positions. Exemptions to the legislation include certain jobs where criminal histories are not allowed, positions for which the law requires criminal history record checks or employer is trying to encourage employment of people with criminal histories.

HB19-1025 passed the House of Representatives on third reading by a vote of 42-22 on February 28, 2019. For more information about this bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1025.