Scott Commends Obama Administration on New Federal Ban-the-Box Proposed Rule
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a proposed ban-the-box rule titled “Recruitment, Selection, and Placement (General) and Suitability.” The proposed rule that would prohibit federal agencies from asking questions about criminal and credit history to applicants for tens of thousands of jobs in the competitive service, as well as the career senior executive service, until a conditional offer of employment has been made.
“Just last week, Ranking Member Cummings and I called on the Administration to take steps to solidify fair chance hiring policies in the federal government. Today, I am pleased that they considered our request, and are taking action to level the playing field for those reentering society after incarceration.
“It is estimated that 70 million or more Americans have some kind of criminal record. By creating policies that support these individuals as they reintegrate we are able to reduce recidivism and victimization, and we make our communities safer.
“The proposed rule builds on the Administration’s leadership to support formerly-incarcerated individuals’ successful reentry into society which provides a second chance for those pursuing education or public housing access. This proposed rule does not call for the automatic hiring of ex-felons. Rather, it reinforces the basic concepts of a fair chance and individual assessments in hiring.
“Today’s proposed rule is a good step to help to reintegrate these individuals into the workplace and their communities without sacrificing public safety.”
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