LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors moved forward Tuesday with proposals to develop policies aimed at opening more employment doors both at the county and in the private sector for people with criminal records.
The board approved a pair of motions asking for reports in 90 days with recommendations for amending hiring processes to give people with criminal records a “fair chance” at being hired. The rules would apply not only to county jobs, but to businesses operating in unincorporated areas or doing business with the county.
“Today’s motion will launch an inclusive stakeholder process to make L.A. County a leader in giving vulnerable populations a fair chance at getting back on their feet,” Supervisor Hilda Solis said. “We hope that other municipalities throughout the county will follow and adopt similar policies to help these men and women have a second chance.”
The motions, introduced by Solis and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, call for a report by staff on expanding the county’s efforts to ensure people with criminal records have a fair chance at being hired for county jobs, and extending such requirements to county businesses and contractors.
One of the motions notes that the county has worked since 1998 to assess whether an applicant’s criminal record “had a nexus to the position” being sought. It also outlined the provisions of state legislation that has been in effect since 2014 that prevents state and local governments from asking about conviction backgrounds on job applications.
“The county has made progress in this area. However, additional reforms are necessary to maximize the pool of talented, qualified workers for employers and to fully utilize the productive capacity of people with prior arrests or convictions, for the improvement of the economy and more robust communities,” according to one of the motions.
The motions recommend steps such as delaying background checks or conviction-history inquiries until a conditional job offer is made, providing an appropriate explanation to an applicant if a job offer is rescinded and developing a system of reporting and enforcing the regulations. [View the motions here and here.]
icare says
This is a great thing giving people the chance they deserve. We all need a 2nd chance in life. Its enough to do the time pay your debt to society and yet still be condemned because of your record. We all make mistakes, we all deserve another chance. If we cant be a productive member of society because of out past then what are we suppose to do?? this is awesome!!!
ignorant cali says
um … the confederate flag is not a symbol of racism…. has nothing to do with the kkk……California voters are stupid and voted for bags to cost us and early release for the non toilet offenders what a joke so who really is to blame
Tim Scott says
The confederate flag, like Donald Trump, has been adopted by numerous openly racist individuals and organizations. The confederate flag, like Donald Trump, has done nothing to distance itself from these individuals or organizations. You can say that it isn’t fair that being embraced by racists requires either some sort of push back or having their stench rub off on you, but life isn’t generally fair and the stench is thick on them both at this point.
Mark says
The Confederate flag that is represented today is a completely racist symbol. William Thompson the designer of the flag believed white people are the superior race. The Confederate flag was gone in USA until the civil rights movement. Guess who used it. I’ll give a clue, It wasn’t the people fight for the rights of African Americans. Neo Nazi groups in Germany use this flag because the Nazi flag is outlawed. Please don’t say this flag isn’t racist. Know the history before you talk the history.
Laughing says
It does not appear he designed the flag, just commented on it. Yup he had screwed up beliefs.
Some of us see the way many people do… just a rebel yell on top of an orange car. The Duke boys were decent folk, as were their kin. All fictional of course, but that is how many see the flag. Some see it as heritage of rebelling against the North and Republican taxing. The freedom to live differently than the factory northerners that were often seen as short changing the ‘simple’ southern farmers. There are even people of color that proudly display the flag for that particular reason.
History is a somewhat malleable thing, facts and truths, and beliefs all mangled up to be his-story, often attributed to the victor.
William says
@ignorant cali
You named yourself correctly.
mr.fluffydogsparkles says
thats my birthday day
Sandra says
… formally decreed a sanctuary city, different laws for different people, nowhere on this planet is the policy community softer on violent crime, nowhere are the hoodlums, the punks, the broths and gangbangers more loved and mollycoddled, than right here, in beautiful Mexifornia –
Tim Scott says
Does it ever bother you when people mock you for making this nonsense up?
PS…what exactly is a “broth” in this bizarre context you’ve created here?
Mark says
What does your statement have to do with this article?
Laughing says
I think some of the Nordic countries have policies very much like California has voted for and adopted.
Willie Aitch says
Let me guess …you follow the Antelope Valley Voice, right? When is the next KKK meeting and cross burning? Any Kabob references? Is there a confederate flag hanging in your garage? Say hi to Willieboy, JoJo, and the rest of the WhackiePackie
Laughing says
Does it count if the flag is painted on top of an orange Dodge Charger?
Willy H says
There is hope for the AV Voice crowd after all…………………………………………….
F _ _ k AV says
Especially, b _ _ tch azz petty, low BAC DUI’s and ANY drug possession B.S. Don’t whine about the crime rate going up if you want to maintain the world’s highest incarceration rate and prison population, without allowing people to work. Land of the Free, indeed.
Mark says
Agreed!