New law will help ex-offenders get job interviews
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Those with criminal records in Minnesota will have a better chance of getting to the interview phase of the hiring process, under a new law that will go into effect next year.
Gov. Mark Dayton last week signeda measureknown as the “ban the box” bill, which will prohibit most employers from asking about a prospective employee’s criminal history on the application form.
“People need a chance to really talk in person, to really tell their story,” Kissy Mason of Minnetonka told KARE.
Mason was among the ex-offenders who met with lawmakers to build support for the bill, which passed with large majorities in both chambers of the legislature.
A college graduate with a solid work history, Mason does well in job interviews. But still dreads seeing this question on job applications:
“Have you ever pled guilty or no contest to a crime, been convicted of a crime, had adjudication withheld or prosecution deferred?”
