“Ban the box” bill gets push in Senate

JACKSON, Tenn. — A controversial piece of legislation aimed at giving Tennessee felons a second chance got a big push, Tuesday. Know as the “ban the box” bill, it would remove questions about a person’s criminal background from most state job applications.

The bill was passed through the Senate’s State Committee with support on both sides of the aisle. Lawmakers said the idea is not to ignore criminal backgrounds but to prevent answers to those types of questions on a piece of paper from affecting an applicants first impression with an employer.

“This is pretty much going to be a trial thing for the State of Tennessee,” State Senator Ed Jackson said. “To see if it will help recidivism and people going back to prison.”

The legislation is focused on giving those with a troubled past a new future.

“It is difficult for them to find work,” said Wesley Calvert who supports the bill. “Many places won’t give them a second chance.”

Lawmakers said eliminating questions about criminal history for state job applications would allow ex-criminals to be more than just a few answers on a piece of paper.

“They may find that there’s enough good in that person that they can overlook what has happened to them in the past,” State Rep. Johnny Shaw said.

With prison programs giving criminals a chance to better them selves officials said it is only right to continue to help when they’re out.

“Correctional facilities are training these people to do this,” Senator Jackson said. “So we think the State of Tennessee needs to give them a shot at a job.”

Although some support the second chance other say that box needs to stay.

“If you’re trying to rehab yourself, that’s great but I think the employer needs to know for safety sake,” Doreen Koehler said.

“Ban the box” is already in place a number of Tennessee cities and counties including Memphis, Nashville, and Hamilton County.

If passed, the policy would go into place for almost all state jobs and not effect private employers.