They haven’t focused on sugary drinks yet, but Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed ban the box legislation into law at the beginning of this month. Signing HB5237 into law makes the Nutmeg State the 19th state to restrict employers’ inquiries into an employment applicant’s criminal history and the 2nd to do so this year (Vermont enacted it the first of May). The Connecticut law, which becomes effective on January 1, 2017, provides that employers may only inquire about an applicant’s criminal history on an application if required to do so by law or it the position applied for requires a security or fidelity bond. Employers may still inquire about criminal histories, but only after an employment application has been formally completed. Violators are subject to fines of $300 per violation. Ban the box has also become more popular with local governments. Austin, Texas, of all places, also passed a ban the box ordinance earlier this year.
