Watch: Fair Chance Act Would Ban the Box in NYC
On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, we joined advocates and City Council members at a rally at City Hall to introduce the Fair Chance Act. This legislation would ensure that everyone in New York City, regardless of criminal conviction history, has a fair chance at competing for a job. The bill would require employers to refrain from asking about an applicant’s criminal history or conducting a background check until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.
CSS Senior Staff Attorney Paul Keefe was one of the main authors of the bill, which is being pushed by campaign partners at the National Employment Law Project (NELP), SEIU Local 32BJ, Vocal New York, and Faith in New York.
Lead sponsors of the bill include Councilmembers Jumaane Williams (Brooklyn), Ritchie Torres (Bronx), and Corey Johnson (Manhattan); along with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
For more information about the legislation including a complete list of sponsors and supporters, visit www.fairchancenyc.org.