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'444110-10- 1414
November 10, 2015
Proposed Resolution Authorizing Removal of the Criminal History Check Box from the
Standard Pima County Job Application Form
Background
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness nationally that individuals with
criminal records deserve a fair chance to be considered for employment based on their
qualifications rather than being rejected solely because of the stigma of a past conviction.
Such awareness has resulted in a national initiative called "Ban the Box," which seeks the
removal of the checkbox that typically has appeared prominently on most job applications
to indicate whether the applicant has a criminal record. To date, '18 states, the District of
Columbia, and more than 100 cities and counties (including the City of Tucson) have
adopted "Ban the Box" policies. In addition, major national employers such as Target,
Walmart, Home Depot, Starbucks and Koch Industries have "banned the box."
The policy objectives of the "Ban the Box" initiative are clearly aligned with our Economic
Development Plan for 2015 through 2017, which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors
on August 11, 2015. Chapter 13 of the Plan addresses the role of economic development
in ending poverty and discusses the cost impacts associated with incarceration and
recidivism on Pima County and the community. The inability of individuals with a criminal
history to obtain employment after they have "paid their debt to society" clearly
contributes to poverty, recidivism and increased crime. Such a policy also is consistent
with the County's MacArthur Foundation planning grant work, which seeks to identify
ways to safely reduce incarceration and improve the transition of inmates on their release
back into the community.
Attached is Resolution 2015- , which authorizes the removal of the criminal history
check box from the standard Pima County job application. The Resolution directs the
Human Resources Department to determine which positions would still require background
checks because of their work with vulnerable populations or their safety-sensitive nature
and to develop such policies and procedures as are necessary to implement this policy and
conduct appropriate background checks as needed. This Resolution was reviewed by the
Pima County Justice Coordinating Council at its September 10, 2015 meeting, and no
concerns or objections to its adoption were expressed.
Recommendation
I recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the attached Resolution 2015-
authorizing the removal of the criminal history questions from Pima County's Job
Application.
The Honorable Chair and Members
Pima County Board of Supervisors
Re: Proposed Resolution Authorizing Removal of the Criminal History Check Box from the
Standard Pima County Job Application Form
October 28, 2015
Page 2
Respectfully submitted,
C.H. Huckelberry
County Administrator
CHH/m j k — October 28, 2015
Attachment
c: The Honorable Barbara LaWall, County Attorney
Amelia Cramer, Chief Deputy County Attorney
Tom Burke, Deputy County Administrator for Administration
Ellen Wheeler, Assistant County Administrator
Allyn Bulzomi, Director, Human Resources
•
RESOLUTION 2015-
PIMA COUNTY RESOLUTION
TO AUTHORIZE THE REMOVAL OF CRIMINAL HISTORY
QUESTIONS FROM PIMA COUNTY JOB APPLICATIONS
WHEREAS"Ban the Box"is a national movement with the goal of increasing employment
opportunities for people with past criminal convictions by removing questions from the employment
application regarding criminal history;and
WHEREAS many counties and cities throughout the United States have adopted"Ban the Box"
policies to ease barriers to employment for those with past criminal convictions; and
WHEREAS the inability to obtain employment contributes to poverty,recidivism and increased
crime;and
WHEREAS Pima County desires to assist otherwise qualified individuals with criminal histories by
affording them an opportunity to compete equally for public employment and thereby assist them in
successfully reintegrating into the community,and
WHEREAS positions that involve work with vulnerable populations,including children and the
elderly,and safety-sensitive positions will continue to require full criminal background investigations for
applicants;
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Pima County Board of Supervisors that the County
will no longer require disclosure of past criminal history on the standard job application form. The
County's Department of Human Resources is directed to determine which positions will continue to
require background checks,due to their work with vulnerable populations or the safety-sensitive nature
of the positions,and to develop recommendations for such policies and procedures as may be necessary
to implement this policy.
Passed and adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Pima County,Arizona,this day of
,2015.
Chair, Pima County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Clerk of the Board Depu y County Attor ey
TOM WEAV