Fiscal Note
This directive will be accomplished using existing resources. No appropriation is required.
Title
Directing the City Human Resources Director and City Attorney to prepare a report and recommendation and any necessary ordinance or resolution for the Common Council regarding removal of questions regarding an applicant’s criminal history from the City job applications, and whether such a policy should extend to any city contractors.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is committed to fostering a community where all members of our community have equitable employment opportunities, and
WHEREAS, the City can lead by example to ensure that employers can make excellent hiring and employment decisions based on relevant work qualifications without any opportunity to improperly consider a person’s criminal record, and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to reduce recidivism through family supporting employment opportunities for qualified candidates with previous criminal histories; and
WHEREAS, the City has historically included questions regarding criminal history on job applications, and
WHEREAS, questions regarding criminal history may have an adverse impact on the city applicant pools; and
WHEREAS, criminal history may be ascertained during later stages of the employment process for positions requiring a criminal background check; and
WHEREAS; other states and municipalities have passed laws that prohibit the use of questions regarding an applicant’s criminal history on an employment application, called Ban the Box policies;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Human Resources Director, Director of Civil Rights and City Attorney will report back to the Common Council with a recommendation and any necessary ordinance or resolution regarding the removal of questions regarding an applicant’s criminal history from City job applications; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the report and recommendation should address whether the City should extend the Ban ...
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