Washington State Enacts Fair Chance Act

Washington State has joined a number of other jurisdictions, including the Washington cities of Seattle and Spokane, by passing a "ban-the-box" law, known as the Washington Fair Chance Act (HB 1298).  The Act prohibits employers from obtaining any information about an applicant's criminal record (whether by a question on an application for employment, inquiring orally or in writing, receiving information through a criminal history background check, or otherwise) until after the employer initially determines that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the position.  It makes it unlawful for employers to advertise employment openings in a way that excludes people with criminal records from applying, or to implement a policy or practice that automatically or categorically excludes individuals with a criminal record from consideration prior to an initial determination that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the position.  Once the employer has initially determined