Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal has signed an executive order on February 23, 2015, implementing a “ban the box” hiring policy. Similar to the policies adopted by other states across the country, Georgia’s policy was implemented to provide individuals with a criminal record a fair chance to apply to job positions. Under the policy, job applicants will not be asked to disclose whether he or she has a criminal history, and state agencies will not be able to disqualify the applicant based on the criminal record. However, the order will not affect applications for sensitive governmental positions in which “a criminal history would be an immediate disqualification.”
Unlike California, Minnesota and New Jersey, Georgia’s “ban the box” policy only applies to government entities. The policy prohibits state agencies from using criminal records as “an automatic bar to employment.” Individuals qualified for job positions are encouraged to apply and discuss any information regarding criminal record without fear of discrimination. Removing this barrier during the application process can open the doors to improving public safety, enhancing workforce development, and providing increased state employment opportunities for job applicants with a criminal history.