Businesses Can’t Deny Employment to Convicted Felons, New Bill Says

A new bill pushing through Seattle’s municipal government would ensure that local businesses could not refuse to hire an applicant simply because of their criminal history, according to Q13FOX.

Last week, Seattle’s City Council Public Safety Committee held a hearing to discuss the new bill.

“This is a systematic problem,” a local business-owner testified.

The bill would require businesses to have a “legitimate reason” other than criminal history in order to deny these people employment. Without it, a business could be fined up to $1,000.

Advocates for the new policy insist they’re aiming to minimize the likelihood of reoffending by giving convicted felons an opportunity to rehabilitate and have a fresh start. The community seemed to agree, filling the room with supporters of the new bill. But not everyone was happy.