Ban the Box Guide
"Ban the Box" legislation first entered the scene in Hawaii in 1998, challenging the stigma surrounding candidates with criminal record histories. Just as Verified Credentials helped employers navigate those emerging fair chance to hire laws, we're still here to do the same for you.
In the years since its introduction, fair chance hiring laws have swept the country. The map below indicates whether a state includes regulations at the local level, state level, or both.
Note that the content provided is generalizations or highlights and not intended to cover the nuances of each law comprehensively or completely. This content shall not be construed as legal advice or opinion and may not contain everything required for your organization to comply with its legal obligations. Organizations should consult their legal counsel regarding this content to ensure compliance.
State Regulations
Explore this interactive map to see which states have adopted statewide or local adverse action regulations. Easily identify where these important policies are in place to help guide your hiring decisions and ensure compliance.
Not pictured: Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands
For specifics on a state or local area's regulations, click its name in the list below.
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment.
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2018
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
San Francisco
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Aug. 13, 2014
Legal Authority
-
Los Angeles
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
Jan. 22, 2017
Legal Authority
-
Unincorporated Los Angeles County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Sept. 3, 2024
Legal Authority
-
Unincorporated San Diego County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Oct. 10, 2024
Legal Authority
Unincorporated San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance (No. 10914)
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
Sept. 1, 2019 (employers with 11 or more employees); Sept. 1, 2021 (all CO employers)
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After initial employment application
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2017
Legal Authority
Federal District Regulations
-
Expand federal district regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Dec. 17, 2014
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
Gainesville
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Dec. 15, 2022
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
Atlanta
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Oct. 17, 2022
Legal Authority
Territory Regulations
-
Expand territory regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Feb. 8, 2018
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2015 (Revised Sept. 2020)
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
Deemed qualified for position and notified of first interview or, if no interview, after a conditional offer of employment.
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2015
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Chicago
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2015
Legal Authority
-
Cook County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After interview or conditional offer
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
July 29, 2015
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Aug. 1, 2021
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
During interview or after deemed qualified for position
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Oct. 18, 2021
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
At or after the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Feb. 29, 2020
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Baltimore
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
July 27, 2014
Legal Authority
-
Montgomery County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2015
Legal Authority
-
Prince George’s County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Sept. 16, 2024
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
At or after the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Oct. 13, 2018
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Grand Rapids
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Dec. 1, 2019
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2014
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Minneapolis
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Aug. 1, 2025
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Columbia
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Dec. 1, 2014
Legal Authority
-
City of Kansas City
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
June 9, 2016
Legal Authority
-
City of St. Louis
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2021
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
At or after the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
March 1, 2015
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After initial employment application
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
June 14, 2019
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Feb. 1, 2009
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Buffalo
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2014
Legal Authority
-
City of New York
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Oct. 27, 2015
Legal Authority
-
City of Rochester
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Nov. 18, 2014
Legal Authority
-
Suffolk County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Aug. 25, 2020
Legal Authority
-
Westchester County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After initial employment application
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
Yes
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Mar. 4, 2019
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After first interview, or after conditional offer of employment if no interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2016
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
Portland
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2016
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Philadelphia
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Private
Law Effective
July 12, 2011
Legal Authority
Bill No. 11 0111 -A Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards
-
Lehigh County
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
June 1, 2024
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
At or after the initial interview
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2014
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Austin
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Apr. 4, 2016
Legal Authority
-
City of De Soto
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After initial employment application
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Jan. 1, 2022
Legal Authority
Section 552.003 De Soto Government Code – Fair Chance Hiring
Territory Regulations
-
Expand territory regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After a conditional offer of employment
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Sept. 22, 2024
Legal Authority
Fair Chance for Employment Act
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
During interview or after deemed qualified for position
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
July 1, 2017
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After deemed qualified for position and conditional job offer
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
Yes
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
July 7, 2018
Legal Authority
Local Regulations
-
City of Seattle
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After the initial screening of applications or resumes
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Nov. 1, 2013
Legal Authority
-
City of Spokane
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
After interview or conditional offer
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
No
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
June 14, 2018
Legal Authority
State Regulations
-
Expand state regulations
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No timing restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
May 6, 1978
Legal Authority
Wisconsin Fair Employment Act - Statutory Reference: Wis. Stat. § 111.31–111.395
Local Regulations
-
City of Madison
Criminal History Inquiry Timing
N/A - No timing restrictions on criminal inquiries
Notice Prior to Criminal History Inquiry
No
Conduct Individualized Assessment
Yes
Provide Individualized Assessment
No
Type of Organization Impacted
Public/Private
Law Effective
Dec. 5, 2024
Legal Authority
Madison Equal Opportunities Ordinance Statutory Reference: Madison Code of Ordinances § 39.03
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