Ban contractors from asking job applicants about criminal history

Police & Community SafetyGovernanceOrdinance

In Plain English

Richmond contractors, subcontractors, and anyone receiving city financial aid currently can ask job applicants about past criminal convictions during hiring. This law prohibits those questions entirely. The policy aims to give people with criminal records better chances at employment with city-connected businesses.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Extended the meeting just for the vote

Passed

0 to 1

BBBBMMR

Why This Vote Matters

Richmond banned employers who work with the city from asking job applicants about criminal convictions during the hiring process. This "ban the box" law applies to city contractors, subcontractors, and any business receiving city financial assistance, and is designed to improve employment opportunities for people with criminal records. The council voted 6-1 to extend the meeting specifically to take this vote, with Councilmember Bates as the sole dissenter. This represents a significant policy change that could affect hundreds of businesses that do work with or receive funding from the city.

Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.

Approve the proposed ordinance Version No. 1 for first reading

Passed

6 to 1

BBBBMMR

Why This Vote Matters

Richmond approved new rules that prohibit city contractors and anyone receiving city money from asking job applicants about criminal convictions during the hiring process. The policy, known as "Ban the Box," is designed to improve employment opportunities for people with criminal records by removing this initial barrier to getting a job. The council passed the ordinance with broad support in a 6-1 vote, with only Councilmember Butt dissenting. This is the first reading of the ordinance, meaning it will need to come back for a final vote before becoming law.

Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.

Modify Section 2.65.040 of the ordinance, to make it more consistent with the practices of other cities that have adopted such policies, and with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidance Documents regarding the use of arrest or conviction records in employment decisions

Failed

2 to 5

BBBBMMR

Why This Vote Matters

A proposal to modify Richmond's "ban the box" hiring law failed in a divided 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Bates and Butt voting in favor. The change would have aligned Richmond's policy with federal guidelines and other cities' approaches to restricting criminal background check questions during hiring. The current ordinance prohibits city contractors and aid recipients from asking about criminal convictions at all during the hiring process, while the failed modification would have allowed more flexibility in line with federal employment discrimination guidance. This policy affects anyone applying for jobs with businesses that have city contracts or receive city financial assistance.

Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.

Other motions

Extend the meeting to 11:30 p.m.

Passed

Extend the meeting to finish the current item

Failed

Community Discussion

This discussion was submitted to the City Clerk as part of the public record.

Comments are submitted to the Richmond City Clerk before the meeting. By commenting, you agree to have your name and comment included in the public record.