Should felons be forced to identify their criminal history on job applications?

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill that would force private employers to remove questions asking job applicants about their criminal history until the applicant has secured an interview.

A similar measure has been in place since 2009 for public employers in the state.

The Cities: The fear is that hiring managers are weeding out candidates based on criminal histories that might be so minor or old that they have no bearing on the applicants' ability to perform the job in question.

The measure is seen as one way to narrow the unemployment gap between whites and people of color. The Twin Cities metro area has more than a 3-to-1 ratio of black-white unemployment, making it one of the largest disparities in the nation.

Today's Question: Should felons be forced to identify their criminal history on job applications?

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