Connecticut has joined the “Ban the Box” movement, becoming the most recent state in the nation to implement statewide legislation prohibiting employers from making inquiries into an applicant’s criminal history on job applications, except under certain circumstances. Employers should review their job applications now to ensure compliance by the January 1, 2017, effective date. Employers still may make criminal background inquiries in Connecticut, but the timing of such inquiries now shifts to later in the hiring process, such as during the interview process or contingent upon an offer. Additionally, Connecticut’s prior restraints on erased record inquiries remain in effect. Under the law, employers may inquire into an applicant’s criminal background when required under state or federal law, or when the job requires a security or fidelity bond or equivalent bond.

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