Governor Jerry Brown has signed a statewide law (AB 1008) governing when and what types of conviction history information employers may consider regarding job applicants. 

The topic of when and how employers may consider criminal convictions continues to be a hot topic, both nationally and in California.  In 2013, California enacted a law precluding state agencies and cities from inquiring about or using information related to criminal conviction history except in specified instances (Labor Code section 432.9).  Similarly, in 2014 and 2016 the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, enacted “Fair Chance” Ordinances limiting how and when employers could consider applicants’ criminal conviction information, thus joining Compton and Richmond as California municipalities with such restrictions.  The Fair Employment and Housing Council recently issued final regulations regarding “Consideration of Criminal History in Employment Decisions” which took July 1, 2017.