State senators gave a green light to legislation prohibiting public employers to immediately ask about an applicant’s criminal past Thursday afternoon.
Known as the “Ban the Box” bill, state, county and municipal employers would only be able to poke into an applicant’s history after the first interview. Exceptions include corrections and court positions
Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover/Central Kent) says he supports the policy as a state initiative, but had reservations about a broader application.
“I had concerns about the fact that we were, however, also requiring lower levels of government in Delaware to basically have the same policy,” said Bushweller.
Bushweller ultimately voted in favor of it, as did 14 of his colleagues after about an hour of debate.
Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) was one of two Republicans who eventually voted for the measure, although he also did so with some reservation.
He says he’s concerned that applicants who aren’t chosen for a job would sue the state on the grounds that they’re being discriminatory.
“If the state wants to set themselves up for that, I guess that’s one policy decision, but these things always follow on to the private sectors and I have real concerns about that,” said Lavelle.
Proponents say it will help reduce the Delaware’s high recidivism rate by giving former offenders a chance at an honest living.
Gov. Jack Markell highlighted the legislation as one of his priorities during his State of the State speech in January and is expected to sign it.
