Individuals convicted of criminal offenses in Nevada often face a stigma when applying for jobs. This is because most applications include a question asking if the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime. This can significantly impact an applicant’s ability to be offered a job despite their other qualifications.
A proposed bill in Nevada could change this. The bill would prohibit state and local government employers from asking applicants to check a box indicating they have been convicted of a criminal offense. It would also prohibit employers from completing criminal background checks on applicants.
Employers would be able to run a criminal background check but only after they have already offered the applicant the position.
The bill would create additional factors for employers to consider when applicants have a criminal history. Before employers can rescind a job offer due to the applicant having a criminal history, the employers would have to look at any rehabilitation completed by the applicant and the amount of time between the offense and the application.
Supporters of the bill say it would help former offenders re-enter society by giving them more employment opportunities. They say it would also prevent employers from judging and discriminating against former offenders on job applications.
Nevada is not the only state looking at changing the way they screen job applicants to try and help offenders re-enter society. Several other states have already passed similar laws that would help applicants convicted of criminal offenses obtain employment.
If this law is passed, it would give individuals with criminal convictions less to worry about when filling out a job application.
Source: KSL, “Nevada bill would end criminal checks on some job applicants,” Riley Snyder, April 1, 2015
