Last week Governor Mark Dayton signed the “ban-the-box” bill enacting a law that that employers in Minnesota cannot ask an applicant about their criminal record prior to an interview. Several years ago, Governor Pawlenty signed into law a similar bill that prohibited public employers from asking about criminal records. This new law extends to private employers in the state.
The purpose behind the bill is to allow an individual an opportunity to get an interview based upon their qualifications, giving a job candidate with a criminal history an opportunity to explain their past to a potential employer in person. This seems to be a step in the right direction as I often hear from clients seeking to expunge criminal records that they have difficulty getting interviews due to a conviction from long ago, despite being highly qualified and rehabilitated.
You can read the bill in its entirety here.
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Coley Grostyan is a Minnesota criminal defense and expungement lawyer who represents individuals in criminal proceedings and regularly helps clients attempting to expunge criminal records in the Twin Cities and throughout the State of Minnesota.