Referred to:  The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Archer, Bartels, Haynes, Maio, Parete, Ronk, and Walter)

Vice Chairwoman of the Legislature, Tracey A. Bartels offers the following:

          WHEREAS, the County of Ulster is committed to recruiting a diverse and skilled workforce; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature is committed to protecting the rights of all its residents, and assisting in the rehabilitation of people with criminal records; and

WHEREAS, removing the conviction history “check box” from applications is a proven method of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with criminal convictions, as even a minor conviction is often a significant limitation in seeking gainful employment; and

WHEREAS, allowing potential candidates to obtain interviews regardless of their conviction status aids in reducing the stigma and bias associated with individuals with a criminal background, and works towards ending structural discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recommended, as a best practice, removing questions from job applications that create discriminatory barriers; and

          WHEREAS, effective January 1, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order issued by the County Executive dated December 16, 2014, the County no longer required an applicant for employment with Ulster County to answer questions regarding criminal history on their application for examination or employment; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature, the policy-determining body of the County pursuant to Charter Section C-11, wishes to codify this practice into policy to permanently "Ban The Box" on its employment application form to promote fairness and opportunity for all persons applying for employment with the County of Ulster; now, therefore be it

          RESOLVED, any application for examination or employment with Ulster County shall not contain questions or checkboxes regarding criminal history; and, be it further

RESOLVED, all applications for County employment shall be reviewed and judged on the qualifications presented, any applicable civil service standards and all pertinent laws and regulations; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the County of Ulster shall inquire into and consider a candidate's prior criminal convictions only after the first interview, except as when otherwise required by law; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Ulster County Personnel Department shall adhere to any County policy in place requiring an applicant for employment to submit to a background check including Local Law No. 14 of 2007,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                  NOES:   

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ___________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE