Ban the Box Laws by State and Jurisdiction - Interactive Map - Accurate
2026-02-28 22:25 Diff

This interactive map has been designed to help employers better understand active ban-the-box laws at the state, county, and local level, and help them determine when they can inquire into and use an applicant’s criminal history for employment purposes. This map is geared specifically toward private employers only.

Ban the Box and Fair Chance Hiring Laws

The chart below describes “Ban-the-Box” and Fair Chance hiring laws for private employers by jurisdiction. For more information on an individual jurisdiction’s law, click the link in the jurisdiction’s name. Note that the information contained in each state/local summary contains the highlights and is not meant to be a comprehensive discussion of each ban the box law and also does not include other employment laws that might restrict employer consideration of criminal records, including in California, Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin. Moreover, any notice requirements in a state/local law may be in addition to and, thus, do not replace pre-adverse and adverse action notice requirements under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Finally, employers in all jurisdictions should be mindful of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidance on employer consideration of arrests and convictions for employment purposes. Employers should always speak with experienced employment counsel about any legal requirements that may apply to their given situation.

State / Jurisdiction When Employers May Ask Effective / Modified Date CALIFORNIA

After conditional offer of employment

Jan. 1, 2018

Los Angeles

After conditional offer of employment

Jan. 22, 2017

San Francisco

After conditional offer of employment

Oct. 01, 2018

COLORADO

After initial written application is submitted

June 24, 2019

CONNECTICUT

After initial written application is submitted

Jan. 1, 2017

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

After conditional offer of employment

Dec. 17, 2014

FLORIDA City of Gainesville

After conditional offer of employment

January 2023

HAWAII

After conditional offer of employment

July 15, 1998

ILLINOIS

After the applicant has been deemed qualified for the position and notified that he or she has been selected for an interview (or, if no interview, after a conditional offer of employment)

Sept. 15, 2020

Chicago

After conditional offer of employment

Apr. 24, 2023

IOWA Waterloo

After conditional offer of employment

July 1, 2020

MAINE

During an interview or after the applicant has been determined qualified for the position

MARYLAND

After initial interview

Feb. 29, 2020

Baltimore

After conditional offer of employment

Aug. 13, 2014

Montgomery County

After conditional offer of employment

Jan. 1, 2015

Prince George’s County

After initial interview

Jan. 3, 2015

MASSACHUSETTS

After initial interview

Oct. 13, 2018

MINNESOTA

After conditional offer of employment

Jan. 1, 2014

MISSOURI Columbia

After conditional offer of employment

Jan. 1, 2014

Kansas City

After initial interview

June 9, 2018

St. Louis

After initial interview

Jan. 1, 2021

NEW JERSEY

After initial interview

March 1, 2015

NEW MEXICO

After initial written application is submitted

July 1, 2019

NEW YORK New York City

After conditional offer of employment

July 29, 2021

Buffalo

After initial interview

June 10, 2013

Rochester

After initial interview

Nov. 18, 2014

Suffolk County

After initial interview

Aug. 25, 2020

Westchester County

After initial application is submitted

March 3, 2019

OREGON

After initial interview

Jan. 1, 2016

Portland

After conditional offer of employment

July 1, 2016

PENNSYLVANIA Chester County

After initial interview

December 23, 2025

Philadelphia

After conditional offer of employment

March 14, 2016

RHODE ISLAND

After initial interview

Jan. 1, 2014

TEXAS Austin

After conditional offer of employment

March 24, 2016

VERMONT

During the initial interview or once the applicant has been deemed otherwise qualified for the position

July 1, 2017

VIRGIN ISLANDS

After conditional offer of employment

Nov. 10, 2018

WASHINGTON

After the applicant is deemed “otherwise qualified” for the position sought

June 6, 2018

Seattle

After an initial screening of applications or resumes to eliminate unqualified applicants

Nov. 13, 2013

Spokane

After initial job interview

June 14, 2018