Massachusetts employers soon will no longer be permitted to inquire about convictions and sealed or expunged records for employment purposes. About 10 years ago, the state became the second to enact a “ban-the-box” law and on Oct. 13, a criminal justice reform bill, signed by Governor Charlie Baker, reduces the five-year period for inquiring about misdemeanors to three years, among other amendments. In addition to being prohibited from asking about sealed records, employers may not ask about a criminal record that has been expunged.