NFIB/Louisiana led efforts to kill so-called ban-the-box legislation that would have prohibited employers from asking about someone’s criminal history on the initial job application.
Sponsors filed four ban-the-box bills in the House, but only one was came up for discussion in committee. It failed to advance to the floor.
The measures would have removed employers right to ask if an applicant had a
criminal background during the application process.
“We believe this would
be a burden of added expense and time to employers when trying to hire as well
as open them up to potential liability,” NFIB/Louisiana State Director Dawn Starns told the House and Government Affairs Committee. “Eighty-nine percent of NFIB members told us in
our 2014 state ballot that they opposed this effort to ban the box.”
Instead, NFIB is
working with other business groups to support HB 505, a measure that would
protect employers against a potential cause of action if an employee with a
criminal background commits a crime on the job.
“This is a proactive
approach to protecting employers who want to give people a second chance,” Starns said.
