.Fiscal Note
This ordinance establishes a self-reporting process for any complaints related to failure to adhere to its requirements. The Department of Civil Rights can absorb anticipated workload associated with self-reported complaints. The ordinance applies to many types of contracts with a total value of more than $25,000. To the extent the ordinance would prevent vendors from participating in City bidding processes, the ordinance could result in higher costs due to fewer competitive bidders. This effect cannot be quantified and, given the contract threshold for participation, is not expected to be significant.
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AMENDED SUBSTITUTE Creating Section 39.08 and Section 33.07(7)(k)14. of the Madison General Ordinances to create a policy requiring certain city contractors to “Ban the Box” by eliminating questions about criminal and arrest record in their hiring practices, when contracting with the City, creating Sec. 33.07(7)(k)14. to make Ban the Box a prequalification requirement, and amending Sec. 39.07(3)(c)10. to exempt credit rating agencies from the Equal Benefits ordinance.
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DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance creates a requirement for many City contractors and recipients of city financial assistance to “Ban the Box” in their hiring practices, as required by Resolution No. RES-14-00679 adopted in 2014. The concept of “banning the box” means that an employer will not ask any questions on a job application about an applicant’s criminal or police record - the “box” to check for crimes or law violations is removed from application forms, to allow a qualified person to be considered for a job without being prematurely screened out of the process. The City of Madison has already “banned the box” from its own applications, interview and hiring practices for positions other than police and fire, per RES-14-00679 and the report accompanying that resolution.
Applicable contractors must:
· Remove from job application forms any questions, check boxes, o...
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