WHEREAS, the incarceration rate of the United States has tripled since 1980 and is nearly eight times its historic average; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the entire community that persons reentering society after incarceration become productive members of society, and the ability of these persons to obtain employment is key to their productivity; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that many individuals with prior criminal histories pose no greater risk of future criminality than do people with no criminal history and are equally qualified, reliable, and trustworthy candidates for employment; and

WHEREAS, lack of employment is a significant cause of recidivism, and people who are employed are significantly less likely to be re-arrested; and

WHEREAS, persons who have paid their debts to society deserve a fair chance at employment and this act is intended to give the individual with a criminal record an opportunity to be judged on his or her own merit during the submission of the application and at least until the completion of one interview; and

WHEREAS, at least 40 cities, 7 counties, and 7 states have passed ordinances and statutes or enacted policies to remove barriers to the employment of those with criminal histories; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent and purpose of this law to improve the economic viability, health, and security of Delaware communities and to assist people with conviction histories to reintegrate into the community and to provide for their families and themselves; and

WHEREAS, obstacles to employment for people with criminal records and other barriers to re-entry are creating permanent members of an underclass that threatens the health of the community and undermines public safety;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Section 710, Title 19 of the Delaware Code by adding a new subsection (14) as shown by underlining as follows and redesignating current subsections (14) through (18) as (15) through (19) respectively:

(14) “Public employer” means the State of Delaware, its agencies, or political subdivisions.

Section 2. Amend Section 711, Title 19 of the Delaware Code by inserting a new subsection (g) as shown by underlining as follows and redesignating current subsections (g) through (k) as (h) through (l) respectively:

(g)(1) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any public employer to inquire into or consider the criminal record, criminal history, credit history, or credit score of an applicant for employment during the initial application process, up to and including the first interview.

(2) A public employer may inquire into or consider an applicant’s criminal record, criminal history, credit history, or credit score after it has determined that the applicant is otherwise qualified and has conditionally offered the applicant the position. Such inquiry shall be limited to convictions constituting felonies in Delaware (or in any other state or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in Delaware, would constitute a felony) for ten years following release from custody (or sentencing for an individual who was never in custody); and misdemeanor convictions in Delaware (or in any other state or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in Delaware, would constitute a misdemeanor offense) for five years following release from custody (or sentencing for an individual who was never in custody).

(3) In connection with any decision regarding employment, a public employer shall consider the following factors in evaluating the candidate or employee and the results of any criminal history inquiry, conducted in accordance with the limitations of this subsection:

(A) The nature of the crime and its relationship to the duties of the position sought or held;

(B) Any information pertaining to the degree of rehabilitation and good conduct, including any information produced by the candidate or employee, or produced on his or her behalf;

(D) Are the circumstances leading to the offense(s) likely to reoccur?;

(E) How much time has elapsed since the offense(s).

(4) This subsection does not apply to any state, county or municipal police force, the Department of Correction, or any position where federal or state law requires or expressly permits the consideration of an applicant’s criminal history.

Section 3. Amend Chapter 69, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding a new section 6909B as shown by underlining as follows:

6909B. Fair Background Check Practices.

(a) It shall be the policy of the State to do business only with contractors that have adopted and employ written policies, practices and standards that are consistent with the requirements of § 711(g) of Title 9.

(b) Agencies shall review all contractors’ background check policies for consistency with the policies of the State as expressed in § 711(g) of Title 9, and shall consider background check policies and practices among the performance criteria in evaluating a contract.

(c) The requirements of this section shall not apply where a criminal background check or credit check is a requirement of State or federal law for a particular class of services.

SPONSOR:	Rep. J. Johnson & Rep. Keeley & Sen. Townsend
	Reps. Barbieri, Baumbach, Bolden, Brady, Longhurst, Jaques, Q. Johnson, Kowalko, Mitchell, Mulrooney, Osienski, Paradee, Potter, Schwartzkopf, Scott, B. Short, K. Williams, D.E. Williams; Sens. Henry, Marshall, McDowell, Peterson, Poore