"UPDATE LAW TO HELP EX-OFFENDERS FIND JOBS," KITCHEN SAYS


Kitchen

          HARRISBURG, February 1 – State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen today introduced her proposal to update Pennsylvania’s employment laws and give ex-offenders an equal opportunity to find jobs once they have been released.

          “Steady, well-paying employment is essential to rejoining society and avoiding a return to prison,” said Kitchen (D-Philadelphia). “Therefore, we need to encourage employers to hire ex-offenders, when they are qualified and appropriate candidates for a position.”

          Current state law allows any employer to view and consider applicants’ criminal history when making hiring decisions. Senate Bill 1060 would prohibit employers from considering non-violent offenses.

          “This is a commonsense update to our statute,” said Kitchen. “My proposal would balance legitimate public safety concerns with the principle of equal opportunity for all.”

          Kitchen’s legislation comes at a time when many more employers are examining criminal histories for hiring purposes. According to the National Employment Law Project, 80 percent of large employers conducted criminal background checks in 2004. In 2002, the FBI for the first time conducted more fingerprint-based background checks for civilian requests than for criminal investigations.