‘Ban the box’ prohibition could be extended to board, commission appointments

Nearly all employers are currently prohibited from inquiring into or considering the criminal record of an applicant until that candidate has been selected for an interview or a conditional offer of employment is made.

Known as “Ban the Box,” it could be expanded to state boards, commissions, agencies, committees, councils, authorities, advisory task forces and advisory councils.

“This bill really brings our executive branch up to speed with public employers and private industries across Minnesota and the country who have banned the box,” said Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul), the sponsor of HF375.

As amended, the bill was approved Thursday by the House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee and sent to the House Floor.

“Banning the box gives individuals the opportunity to sit in on interviews and really connect with employers on a human level before disclosing their criminal history,” Hollins said. “It also allows them the opportunity to explain about their past and permits employees to judge if those past wrongs are relevant to the board or commission they are applying to.”

Hollins said applicants are not applying for these roles in the first place because of their past, and not banning the box disproportionately affects communities of color which leads to lack of diversity on boards and commissions.

The bill would also make miscellaneous, largely technical, changes to laws regarding the process of filing vacant positions by open appointment.