Last week, Gov. Dave Heineman signed off on a ban the box provision for the State of Nebraska.
The “box” in question is the somewhat controversial check-box on job applications that asks prospective employees about their criminal histories. In this case, the ban applies only to public employers in the state.
The box has become a target for advocates who claim that it eliminates ex-offenders from jobs prematurely. Nebraska’s ban the box provision was a small part of a much broader act covering job training programs, mental health and transitional services, and other provisions meant to ease overcrowding in state facilities. (more…)