Criminal records won't be part of many state job applications under Cooper order

Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday signed an executive order to "implement fair chance policies" and prevent state agencies in his administration from asking applicants about their criminal records.

"People will get a chance to shine and show themselves on their own merit when they're going through the employment process," he said during a state Department of Public Safety conference. "There’s a wealth of talent out there, a wealth of people who’ve made a mistake who are now about to come back into society who could be good employees."

The move is known as "banning the box," referring to a box on job applications that people have to check if they have any type of criminal record. Checking that box often excludes people from ever being considered for a position, no matter how long ago the crime occurred or whether it had anything to do with the job they're seeking.

Cooper said there will be safeguards, and some jobs will still require applicants to disclose their records, such as those requiring a security clearance or law enforcement certification. But in other cases, he said it may not be relevant, or it could be discussed in an initial interview.

"Eventually, a criminal record could come into the decision-making process in whether an employee would be hired. But so many people are just not getting a chance to be looked at by having to put this on an application," the governor said.

More than 1.7 million people in North Carolina have criminal records.

"So many people just need a second chance," he said. "So many people who come out of the justice system really start with so many things against them."

Thirty-five other states and more than 150 cities and counties, including more than 10 in North Carolina, already "ban the box."

The order takes effect Nov. 1 to give agencies time to adjust their applications and interview processes. Cooper said he wants the Department of Administration to look at the feasibility of getting state contractors to follow suit – many companies already ignore applicants' criminal records for less-sensitive positions.