New Orleans, Louisiana, is joining the ranks of cities and states “banning the box” from its job applications. The city’s new ordinance takes effect March 1 and prohibits the city and its contractors from asking job applicants about their criminal history on initial employment applications. The measure also mandates that criminal background checks can be conducted only after an applicant has been given an initial interview.
The new ordinance does not affect private-sector companies that don’t do business with the city.
