Ban criminal background checks by city contractors during hiring
In Plain English
City contractors currently can ask job applicants about criminal convictions before making hiring decisions. This law would prohibit contractors from asking about criminal history until after they make a conditional job offer. The change aims to give people with past convictions a better chance at employment on city projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the ordinance as presented
6 to 1
Why This Vote Matters
The council approved a "ban the box" law with broad support, with only Councilmember Butt voting against it. Companies working on city projects will no longer be allowed to ask job applicants about criminal convictions until after they make a conditional job offer. This change is designed to help people with criminal records get a fair shot at employment by preventing automatic rejection based on past convictions. The new rule applies only to businesses that have contracts with the city, not to all employers in the area.
Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.
Other motions
Substitute final screening with updated enforcement guidance from EEOC
FailedSimilar Discussions
5 related items found by meaning
Ban employers from asking job applicants about criminal history
Ban contractors from asking job applicants about criminal history
Ban contractors from asking job applicants about criminal history
Remove criminal history question from city job applications
Expand 'Ban the Box' hiring policy to cover city contractors and vendors
The Story So Far
2 prior discussions on this topic
Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics Act (Richmond GATE Act) Placing a Ballot Initiative on the November 2026 Ballot to Adopt an Ordinance that Establishes an Independent Ethics Commission
Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics Act (Richmond GATE Act) Placing a Ballot Initiative on the November 2026 Ballot to Adopt an Ordinance that Establishes an Independent Ethics Commission
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