‘Ban the Box’ bill clears Delaware Senate Labor Committee

A bill that would remove criminal history from public job applications has cleared the Senate Labor Committee and is headed to the Senate floor.

House Bill 167, also known as the “Ban the Box” bill, passed the House 31-8 in January.

Supporters of the bill claim that it will help counter recidivism because ex-offenders would have better opportunities to obtain employment and reacclimate to society. Along with 10 states, the City of Wilmington and New Castle County recently adopted the “Ban the Box” practice.

Positions with statutory mandates such as educators, daycare workers and law enforcement are excluded.

“You can’t just say, ‘You committed a crime 10 years ago, you’re in the trash,’” said Senator Karen Peterson, D-Stanton.