Bill would prohibit government agencies from asking about felony conviction
SANTA FE (AP) -- Republican state Senator Clint Harden says it's time to ban the box.
He's sponsoring a measure that would prohibit government agencies for asking on an initial application whether the job-seeker has a felony conviction.
The bill doesn't prohibit prospective employers from asking the question once they're face-to-face with applicants, nor from doing background checks.
Supporters say it gives job applicants with criminal records a chance to get a foot in the door and make their case.
The measure has passed the Senate and is pending in a House committee.
Harden -- who is a former state labor secretary -- has a long history of hiring felons for his restaurants, ice cream shop and car wash in Clovis.
He says too many people are kept out of the work force because they've been in trouble with the law.
He says felons have trouble staying out of prison if they can't find work.
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