INDUSTRY NEWS
Spokane, Washington enacts “Ban the Box” ordinance
The ordinance will prohibit employers in the county from asking job applicants about their criminal history prior to conducting a job interview.
The Spokane City Council approved the ordinance by a five-to-two margin.
There will be a one-year probation period in which no fines will be issued to employers found not complying with the ordinance. Beginning in 2019, employers found violating the ordinance will be subject to a $261 fine.
Under Washington state law, public and private schools in Spokane will be exempt from the law.
Spokane previously removed questions about criminal history from applications for jobs with the city in 2014
Source: The Spokesman-Review, 11/27/2017