Kansas joins the growing list of states passing some sort of Ban the Box law. On May 2nd, Governor Jeff Colyer signed an order to “Ban the Box” from state agency job applications in an effort to help formerly incarcerated people find work. According to Governor Colyer, “the state’s overall recidivism rate is nearly 36 percent – with the rate dropping almost in half among those employed.” Applicants may still be asked about criminal history but it will be later in the hiring process. “This is simply about treating people as individuals and allowing them to explain their circumstances at a later point in the process,” added Colyer. Kansas previously had no Ban the Box law among a growing number of states who have laws or policies about criminal history inquiries. The order applies only to state government and not private businesses.
Referenced Sources: Carla Eckels, Colyer Adds Kansas To The List Of States Supporting ‘Ban The Box’ KCUR (May 2, 2018), http://kcur.org/post/colyer-adds-kansas-list-states-supporting-ban-box#stream/0
Governor Colyer issues Executive Order to “Ban the Box” on Executive Branch employment applications, Kansas Department of Administration (May 2, 2018), http://www.admin.ks.gov/offiCes/public-affairs/2018/05/02/governor-colyer-issues-executive-order-to-ban-the-box-on-executive-branch-employment-applications