As the city moves forward with legislation to stop employers from asking whether a job applicant has ever been convicted of a crime, Councilman Adam McFadden plans a public forum to discuss the issue, tonight.
This evening at 6:30 in City Council Chambers, McFadden expects a large public turn-out to discuss his “foot in the door” legislation.
The proposed Rochester legislation follows a nationwide movement known as “Ban the Box.” More than 60 cities and counties and several states have passed legislation to remove the question from employment applications.
McFadden says discontinuing the practice of forcing job applicants from disclosing a criminal past until later in the recruitment process will protect New York State employers. It’s illegal to discriminate against an applicant based solely on a past conviction.
“And if you think about it this way, Martin Luther King, Jr. would have to check the box today,” said McFadden
Kristen Clarke, Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau for the state Attorney General’s office, says legislation like this in New York City and Buffalo helps keep employers in-line with state law, but can also play a role in reducing crime.
“Any policies or practices that help ensure that when people who have completed their time get that second chance that is a way to prevent recidivism and a way to really reintegrate people back into communities.”
City Council could vote on the proposed legislation as soon as May 20th.