Ban the Box: What Employers Should Know About LA County's Fair Chance Ordinance

The Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance is set to undergo significant updates on September 3, 2024, affecting the hiring process for employers with five or more employees in unincorporated areas of LA County. These changes include restrictions on inquiring about criminal history, a "show your work" requirement for individualized assessments, and the need to mail adverse action notices by mail. Employers must also ensure that job postings include language stating that qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment and provide a list of material job duties that may intersect with a candidate's criminal history. The law prohibits employers from considering certain criminal information, such as arrests and marijuana-related convictions, and requires the provision of pre- and post-adverse action notices with specific information about existing internal procedures challenging decisions or requesting reconsideration. To prepare for these changes, employers should review their policies and procedures with legal counsel before September 3, 2024, and consider utilizing a platform like Checkr to support compliance.