ERA has heard from highly qualified women who are ready and willing to work, but cannot find employment due to their criminal conviction histories, and are struggling to support themselves and their families as they try to reintegrate into society.  A.B. 218 and A.B. 516 will advance and promote the economic security of working women in California, as well as the children, families, and communities that rely on them, by removing one significant barrier to employment.

• AB 218 (Dickinson), also known as the “Ban the box” bill, would ensure that state, city, and county job applicants are not forced to disclose their criminal conviction history in an initial job application.  The bill would ensure that those with conviction records are not foreclosed from obtaining employment in the early stages of the employment process, before they have a chance to demonstrate their qualifications for the job.  See the bill here.

• AB 651 (Bradford) would ensure that folks who complete a sentence under California’s new Realignment program have adequate access to reentry by clarifying that they are eligible to petition for set-aside relief (and expungement) under Penal Code section 1203.4.  Women are particularly impacted by California’s new Realignment program because they disproportionately represent those with low-level criminal convictions that qualify for local sentences under the program.  Access to expungement for these women is crucial.  AB 651 would fill a gap in the law, and would enable women to successfully find employment and housing after serving their sentences.  See the bill here.

Read ERA’s letters of support for the two bills, with more information on their importance, here and here.

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