From State Senator Ed Gomes:
Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport) on Wednesday continued his advocacy for reforming Connecticut’s policies around hiring applicants with a criminal record. Testifying in front of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, Sen. Gomes called for the passage of Senate Bill 467: An Act Concerning Municipal Implementation of Criminal Justice Reforms.
The bill is a set of hiring policies for private employers, designed to ensure that applicants with criminal records are evaluated on the merits of their qualifications, not on their criminal records.
“This is an important bill for those with a record to have an opportunity to receive a job,” said Sen. Gomes. “A felony conviction too often haunts a person their whole life preventing them from moving on and joining the workforce. We need to give everyone that is looking for a job a fair shot.”
SB 467, originally known as House Bill 5237: An Act Concerning Fair Chance Employment, was raised by the Labor and Public Employees Committee and passed the committee on March 10 by a vote of 13-0.
The bill would incorporate “ban the box” policies, which remove the criminal history question from job applications and postpone the background check until a conditional offer is made by the employer. The bill would also require employers to take into account the age of the offense when making hiring decisions.
Research shows that once an employer has examined the qualifications of a job applicant, the applicant is more likely to be hired.
Seven states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have extended fair hiring practices to private employers.
The Judiciary Committee deadline for action on the bill is March 30.
*** Fair chance at employment or back to making fast money again and back to jail! ***
Thank you, Senator Gomes.
Good job, Senator Gomes.
Good job, Senator Gomes. Mr. Bradley, please stand down.
Question–it mentions background check once a conditional offer is made. I manage a diverse gender group. If the candidate has violent or sexual offenses in last five years, can I then withdraw the offer? I also ask as the background check now becomes a potential loophole for an employer to deny the candidate.
I am all for second chances–people need them because as Mojo states above, if they don’t get hired somewhere they are likely to return to crime. Perhaps as part of the background check, they could require the employer (with the consent of the candidate) to get statements of approval/recommendation from prison officials, parole officers, etc. as further proof the candidate would be a good hire. This way the candidate can have others advocate for them as reference. Sort of like a person would get now from a prior manager. I’ve worked in the corporate world for over 30 years, and they will find ways to exclude candidates, ex-felons or not. I just want to continue to level the playing field for all.
Kudos to Senator Gomes. It’s long overdue that some offenders who have paid their debt to society be given equal opportunity to be hired based on their qualifications. Often times, you see a person with a felony record from 10-15 years ago who cannot get a fair shake because the stigma follows them forever, even if they haven’t had any other arrests. If they are gainfully employed, the odds of them reverting back to a criminal lifestyle is very substantially reduced.
Ed has been involved in public service and fighting for fairness in the work environment for most of his life. When the Senator speaks he resonates to all who have the opportunity to hear him. Bridgeport is fortunate he soldiers on to keep integrity and fairness in government. As residents of this City, we should all stand behind him for as long as he’s willing to serve and represent Bridgeport in the State Senate.