In an executive order Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey directed state personnel officials to “ban the box,” eliminating any questions on initial job applications about whether a person has a criminal record.
None of that keeps the question from coming up. But the concept, according to the governor, is to ensure that people are not eliminated from even being considered.
“This is to allow people that have paid their debt to society, who have served their time, to have some hope of a job or a career or an opportunity,” Ducey said.
The idea is not new. The National Employment Law Project reports 29 states already have similar laws or policies in place.
The group also says nine states have eliminated the question for private employers, something the governor’s executive order does not do.
Several Arizona cities, including Tucson, Tempe and Phoenix, have similar policies.
