New Mexico employers can no longer ask applicants for criminal history on job applications
Starting Friday, it will be illegal for employers in New Mexico to ask job seekers for their criminal history on job application forms.
The law stems from Senate Bill 96, which “bans the box” referring to the box prospective employees are typically asked to check indicating if they have any prior criminal history on job applications.
The bipartisan bill was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April.
“New Mexicans who are committed to rehabilitating themselves after a criminal incident deserve every opportunity to rebuild their lives,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Banning the box ensures there is a just pathway back to a productive life for New Mexicans and their families. I am proud to have signed it.”
State Sen. Bill O’Neill (D) and State Rep. Alonzo Baldonado (R) sponsored the bill.
“This bipartisan legislation allows individuals access to possible employment that could otherwise be denied,” O’Neill said. “It simply says that criminal history cannot be included on preliminary job applications, so that an applicant can get a face-to-face interview with an employer.”
Added Baldonado: “This bill gives formerly incarcerated New Mexicans a chance to provide for themselves and their families. Employment is a significant factor in reducing recidivism, crime, and costs to the state of New Mexico.”
New Mexico joins 35 states and more than 150 cities across the nation that have adopted a similar policy.