Prince George’s bill offers inmates a second chance
Prince George’s residents with criminal records may have an
easier time getting their foot in the door with a potential employer now due to
new legislation passed by the county.
“This is an historic bill that will make it easier for our
returning citizens to seek employment,” said Robert “Bob” Ross, president of
the Prince George’s chapter of the NAACP.
County Bill 79, the “ban the box” bill, a reference to the
box applicants are required to check on their applications if they have a
criminal record, was passed unanimously Nov. 19 by the Prince George’s County
Council.
The bill prohibits most employers from requiring an
applicant disclose their criminal record or conduct a criminal record check on
an applicant until after a first interview has been conducted.
If an employer rescinds an offer of employment to an
applicant based on their criminal record, they must notify the applicant and
provide them a copy of their criminal record report, giving them three days to
present any evidence of inaccuracies in the record.
“If we don’t give people second chances, then they don’t
have the opportunity really, to live productive and meaningful lives,” said
Councilwoman Mary Lehman (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel. “They’ll be much more likely to
return to crime and drive up recidivism rates.”
The law provides exemptions for public safety, programs that
provide services to minors or disabled adults, or to positions that, “in the
judgement of the county, have access to confidential or proprietary business or
personal information, money or items of value, or involve emergency
management,” according to the legislation.
It does not apply in cases where criminal background checks
are expressly authorized by federal, state or county legislation.
David Harrington, president of the Prince George’s County
Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber expressed concerns, but that those were
addressed in the amending of the bill to clarify that it applies to
prospective, not current, employees.
“We are in support of the intent of the bill, and that is to
provide an opportunity for people to be able to speak their case for
employment,” Harrington said.
Councilman Obie Patterson (D-Dist. 8) of Fort Washington
sponsored the legislation. Patterson said that during his former occupation as
a parole commissioner, he witnessed the difficulty former convicts had in
obtaining jobs.
“It was almost impossible for these individuals to get a
fair chance at even low-paying jobs,” Patterson said.
Patterson said that 11 states and over 50 jurisdictions,
including Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Montgomery County, have passed
similar legislation.
“We think it is due time,” said Fred Price Jr. of Cheverly,
a member of the Prince George’s Republican Central Committee.
