The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted 9-6 on Monday to report a bill from Sen. Rosalyn Dance (D-Petersburg) to “ban the box” in most state employment decisions. Two Republicans joined all seven Democrats in support.
Said Sen. Dance, “Once they’ve paid their dues, former offenders deserve to rejoin society — but without a job, that’s almost impossible. This bill will ensure that our fellow Virginians are judged on their skills, knowledge, and abilities — not their past mistakes. Many of these folks want nothing more than to become working, participating citizens: to reintegrate into society and pay their taxes. I’m pleased we’ve taken this step to give them a second chance.”
Experts from several outside groups appeared in support of the bill, including the ACLU of Virginia and Offender Aid and Restoration. No one spoke against the measure.
Background: Ban the Box
SB 335 generally bars state agencies from inquiring into a job candidate’s criminal background before making a conditional offer of employment, and it prevents them from withdrawing such an offer unless a past conviction relates to the duties and responsibilities of the relevant position. The bill also guarantees local public employers’ ability to ban the box, without mandating that they do so.
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