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Guide To State Laws Asking About Arrest Records

Please note that as of November 2016, a of number of states and Cities have passed Ban The Box laws. 
Are Employers Permitted to Ask Applicants About Or Consider Arrests That Did Not lead To A Conviction on Job Applications?
It depends on the state. See the following guide to states that have laws regulating these arrest records. Unless superceded by a “Ban The Box” law.

Federal Criminal Records

States

 

 

Alabama

Yes

Alaska

Yes

Arizona

Yes

Arkansas

Yes for private employers; No for both public employers and occupational licensing agencies

(Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-1-103(c)(1) and (I).)

California

No

(Cal Labor § 432.7 (f)(1), (2); and Cal. Penal §13203).)

Colorado

Yes, except sealed records

(Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 24-72-308(1)(f).)

Connecticut

No

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-51i).)

Delaware

Yes

District of Columbia

Yes, except sealed records or when applying for government job, occupational license, or nominating commissions

D.C. Code § §16-803(m); 16-801(11)

Florida

Yes

Georgia

Yes

Hawaii

No

Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 831-3.2(e) and 378-2.5

Idaho

Yes

Illinois

No

(775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-103).)

Indiana

Yes, except expunged records

IC 35-38-9-10(a)(6b)

Iowa

Yes

Kansas

Yes

Kentucky

Yes

Louisiana

Yes

Maine

Yes

Maryland

Yes

Massachusetts

No

Mass. Regs. Code tit. 804, §§ 3.01 and 3.02

Michigan

Yes, however occupational licensing agencies may not consider arrests not leading to conviction

Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 37.2205a(1) and 338.43(1)

Minnesota

Yes

Mississippi

Yes

Missouri

Yes

Montana

No, except for lawful affirmative action and record keeping purposes

(Mont. Admin. R. 24.9.1406(1) and (2) (h).)

Nebraska

Yes

Nevada

Yes

New Hampshire

Yes for private employers; No for public employers and occupational licensing agencies

(N.H.   Rev. Stat. Ann. § 21-l:51 and 332-A:1).)

New Jersey

Yes

New Mexico

Yes for private employers; No for both public employers and occupational licensing agencies

(N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 28-2-2 and -3(b)(1).)

New York

No

(N.Y. Exec. Law §§ 296(16).)

North Carolina

Yes

North Dakota

Yes

Ohio

Yes, except sealed records

Oklahoma

Yes, except sealed records

Oregon

Yes

Pennsylvania

No

Rhode Island

No

(R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 28-5-6 (7) and -7 (7).)

South Carolina

Yes

South Dakota

Yes

Tennessee

Yes

Texas

Yes

Utah

No

(Utah Admin. R. 606-2-2(U) and (V).)

Vermont

Yes, except expunged and sealed records

(Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 13 § 7606 (b).)

Virginia

Yes

Washington

Yes

West Virginia

Yes

Wisconsin

No, unless required for bonding

(Wis. Stat. §§ 111.325; .335(1)(a) and .335(1)(b).)

Wyoming

Yes

Updated October 2013

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