Sacramento May Stop Asking Applicants If They Have Criminal Record

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento may soon stop asking people applying for a job if they have a criminal record.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday afternoon, the City Council Law and Legislation Committee approved the "ban the box" ordinance. Employers will consider a job candidate's qualifications first without the stigma of a criminal record.

The ordinance would only apply to companies looking to get city contracts for more than $100,000. Supporters say it's a way to give those who have already paid their debt to society a way to get back on track and be contributing members of the community.

"This will clean the slate and give the individual a chance to explain," said Sacramento City Councilman Larry Carr. "In some cases it was an infraction that was committed years ago -- decades ago -- but they still have to fill in the box. So, we want the contractors and vendors and people who do business with the city to be partners in this."

California passed a bill in 2013 banning the box on applications for local and regional government jobs. An executive order from Gov. Jerry Brown removed it from state job applications in 2010. There are still exceptions, including the California Highway Patrol.

At Tuesday's meeting, the City Council agreed that everyone should have a chance to get past their previous mistakes. They were quick to point out that doesn't mean every person with a criminal record will necessarily get hired.

While no one spoke out against the ordinance, council members agreed the city council potentially miss out on some great talent if certain people were excluded from the process.

"If we want to reduce recidivism and get people to make sure they are economically productive, we have to make sure they are employed, they are working, they are starting their own living and we do that by not creating bureaucratic barriers to success," said City Councilman Eric Guerra.