HB-1025 would, among other things, prohibit a business from asking about a job applicant’s criminal history on an employment application form, hence the name, “ban the box.”
Majority House Democrats passed similar bills in 2017 and 2018 only to see them die in the Republican-controlled Senate. In both sessions, the Colorado Chamber opposed the bills for several reasons, including:
- Opposition to the legislature mandating how an employer assesses an applicant;
- Concern that hiring an individual with a criminal history could open the employer up to legal liability if the individual commits a crime in the workplace or harms co-workers.
The latter is interesting because of the use of criminal background checks in Indiana and other states around the US. At the moment, employers are given the option of doing criminal background checks on new applicants. There are so many companies now that offer instant criminal background check so the results could be back at your finger tips in minutes. However, some have argued that doing so would make it difficult for individuals convicted of any crime to reintegrate into society due to any preconceived biases.
The bill is sponsored in the House by Democrat Representatives Jovan Melton (Aurora) and Leslie Herod (Denver).
Representatives Herod and Melton worked with the Colorado Chamber and its business allies to craft a bill that met the concerns of the business community. Consequently, the Colorado Chamber’s Labor and Employment Council recently voted to take a neutral position on the introduced measure.
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee amended and approved HB-1025 by an eight-to-two vote. Four amendments (L.001, L.002, L.004 and L.005) were added to the bill to further address some of the concerns of the Colorado Chamber.
Of the four minority Republicans on the Committee, only one-Representative Matt Soper (Delta)-voted with the majority Democrats for the bill.
The Colorado Chamber’s Loren Furman, Senior Vice President, State and Federal Relations, told the Committee that she “complements the sponsors” to accepting the input of the Chamber and taking “a very measured approach” to this year’s version of the bill. She said that the Chamber “appreciates their effort.”
Next stop for the bill is the House Appropriations Committee.
Here’s the description of this year’s introduced bill by the non-partisan Legislative Council:
The bill prohibits employers from:
- Advertising that a person with a criminal history may not apply for a position;
- Placing a statement in an employment application that a person with a criminal history may not apply for a position; or
- Inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history on an initial application.
An employer may obtain a job applicant’s criminal history at any time.
An employer is exempt from the restrictions on advertising and initial employment applications when:
- The law prohibits a person who has a particular criminal history from being employed in a particular job;
- The employer is participating in a program to encourage employment of people with criminal histories; or
- The employer is required by law to conduct a criminal history record check for the particular position.
The department of labor and employment is charged with enforcing the requirements of the bill and may issue warnings and orders of compliance for violations and, for second or subsequent violations, impose civil penalties. A violation of the restrictions does not create a private cause of action, and the bill does not create a protected class under employment anti-discrimination laws. The department is directed to adopt rules regarding procedures for handling complaints against employers.
For a slightly different perspective, here’s the introduced bill’s Fiscal Note, also prepared by non-partisan legislative staff.
Summary of Legislation
This bill prohibits an employer from stating in a job posting or on any form of application that a person with a criminal history may not apply. It also prohibits an employer from inquiring into or requiring disclosure of an applicant’s criminal history on an initial application. These rules do not apply if an employer is advertising a position that federal, state, or local law prohibits individuals with specific criminal convictions from holding. The bill does not apply to the state, a local government, or a quasi-governmental entity, or a political subdivision of the state. The bill also exempts any employer hiring as part of a program to encourage the employment of people with criminal histories. An employer may continue to obtain a criminal background report during any stage of the hiring process.
The bill does not create a protected class under employment anti-discrimination laws or a private cause of action. All complaints alleging a violation of these rules must be filed with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). CDLE must investigate any complaint received within 12 months of the alleged violation, unless the department deems the complaint to be without merit. An employer who violates the law is subject to an order requiring compliance within 30 days and the following penalties:
- first violation: a warning;
- second violation: a civil penalty of up to $1,000; and
- third or subsequent violation: a civil penalty of up $2,500.
CDLE must adopt rules regarding procedures for handling complaints filed against employers, including rules for providing notice to employers and requirements for retaining and maintaining relevant employment records during an investigation.
For more information on HB-1025, contact Loren Furman, Chamber Senior Vice President for State and Federal Relations, at 303.866.9642.
For news media coverage of the bill and the issue, read:
“Business leaders drop opposition to ‘ban the box’ bill as it advances in Colorado Legislature,” by Ed Sealover, The Denver Business Journal, January 30th.
“Colorado Democrats want to ban criminal history questions from job applications,” by Anna Staver, The Denver Post, January 29th.
“Capitol Business Preview: What businesses to know this week at the Colorado Legislature,” by Ed Sealover, The Denver Business Journal, January 28th.