COLUMBUS – The Ohio House has approved a bill that would limit public employers’ use of criminal background information in hiring.
The bill would prohibit public employers from inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history until the person has been selected for the position and an offer is about to be made.
“We spend millions on rehabilitation for ex-offenders but many feel as though they have a lifetime sentence because they are not given an opportunity to compete for employment,” said Legislative Black Caucus President Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati). She called approval “a major step in the right direction for giving people a second chance to be productive citizens” and hopes private employers follow the example.
The bill passed by the House Wednesday still allows public employers to reject applicants because of their criminal histories but says the employers must first consider several factors.
These include the nature of the crime and how serious it was, how it relates to the job being applied for, and the applicant’s record since being out of prison.
The bill sponsors are Republican Kirk Schuring and Democrat Stephen Slesnick, both from Canton.