What is Ban the Box Legislation?

I am applying for jobs and the job application asks if I have been arrested.


Answer

Ban the Box Legislation refers to laws that require employers to not automatically dismiss a job applicant with arrests and criminal convictions. The employer must first consider an job applicant's qualifications for a position. This includes people who have been arrested as a youthful offender, or who have a sealed conviction record or an arrest that was ultimately dismissed. Here are some good resources to learn more about legal protections for people with criminal records:

There are laws at both the state, county, and city level addressing ban the box:

You can also do more in depth research at your local public access law library:

  • Westlaw: § 6:12. Restrictions upon use of or obtaining criminal history record, 13A N.Y. Prac, Employment Law in New York § 6:12 (2d ed.)
  • Lexis: 2 New York Employment Law § 24.12 (2nd 2021) Discrimination Based on Arrests or Conviction
  • Last Updated Aug 14, 2025
  • Views 1089
  • Answered By Librarian 1

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