By Rory O’Sullivan
Civil rights organizers have scored a huge win with their ‘Ban the Box’ campaign becoming law, removing the question about a person’s criminal history from job applications.
Assembly Bill 218, went into effect, July 1, for only public agencies but advocates still see it as a huge win. Hiring managers will now have to wait in their assessment process to make the inquiry to run criminal background checks.
Organizations like National Employment Law Project and All of Us or None have spent nearly 10 years trying to turn the campaign into law according to All of Us or None Riverside chapter president Vonya Quarles.
“It means you now have the opportunity,” said Quarles. “When you have hope and opportunity communities can change.”
Roughly one in four Americans could ultimately benefit from that change, contend “Ban the Box” boosters, citing fresh U.S. census figures that show some 70 million U.S. adults now own a criminal record – the product, advocates say, of mass incarcerations fueled by a flawed criminal justice system.
One of those million is Linda Armstrong who sees this as an opportunity to get a job with Riverside County. She has volunteered with the county for more than three years but now sees this as an opportunity to be paid for helping her community.
“They wouldn’t hire me,” said Armstrong. “They’re hiring people over me that don’t even have the experience.”
Public Agencies have been warm to the legislation according to Connie C. Almond an attorney with, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, which specializes in labor and employment.
“It’s part of a general trend from not denying employment simply based on a person’s criminal history,” said Almond.
Her firm represents clients throughout the Inland Valley and said public agencies are complying with the law.
“There is no push back that I am aware of.”
The city of San Bernardino is welcoming of the new legislation and sees it as an opportunity to reach out to the community.
“People being released from prison and get back in the workforce…I believe it’s generally better for our society,” said Gary. “People deserve a second chance and the city is giving them that chance if they are qualified.”
Almond said public agencies still will have the ability to disqualify someone based on their criminal history. She said the nature of the crime type of work and length of sentencing still can play a factor on if a person with a conviction will get a specific job.
Quarles stills sees the good in it.
“These are not dead end jobs,” said Quarles. “These jobs give a real living wage along with health benefits.”
After earning several certificates and building close relationships with management Armstrong said she her background kept her from landing her dream job working in substance abuse.
“I hope this changes that.”