"Fair chance" hiring bill advanced by legislative panel

House Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) is sponsoring a bill that would delay questions about a job applicant's criminal record until later in the hiring process. A legislative panel voted 11-2 on the measure this month. It will now advance to the House and Senate, where it faces additional votes in the coming weeks. 

LD 1566, "An Act To Enact the Maine Fair Chance Employment Act,” is designed to give job-seekers a better chance at getting hired by restricting questions on applications to personal information and work experience. Employers will still be allowed to ask their potential employees about prior convictions but only during an interview when they have a chance to explain their situation and provide contextual information.