Local government: hiring practices.

Existing law requires the hiring practices and promotional practices of a local agency, as defined, to conform to the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and prohibits any local agency from, as a part of its hiring practices or promotional practices, employing any educational prerequisites or testing or evaluation methods that are not job-related, unless there is no adverse effect. This bill would prohibit a local agency from inquiring into or considering the criminal history of an applicant or including any inquiry about criminal history on any initial employment application. The bill would authorize a local agency to inquire into or consider an applicant's criminal history after the applicant's qualifications have been screened and the agency has determined the applicant meets the minimum employment requirements, as stated in any notice issued for the position. The bill would not apply to a position for which a local agency is otherwise required by law to conduct a criminal history background check or to any position or individual working within a criminal justice agency, as specified. The bill would also express a legislative finding and declaration that reducing barriers to employment for people who have previously offended, and decreasing unemployment in communities with concentrated numbers of people who have previously offended, is a matter of statewide concern, and that all cities and counties, including charter cities and counties, would be subject to the provisions of the bill.