Washington House OKs Bill Restricting Criminal Record Inquiries

A Washington bill prohibiting employers from asking about arrests or convictions before an applicant is determined otherwise qualified for a position passed the House. It now heads back to the Democratic-controlled Senate committee where it died last year, when Republicans were in the majority.

The bill, 2SHB 1298, passed the House Feb. 7 by a vote of 52–46 with overwhelming Democratic support. It provides that employers are precluded from asking about criminal history or obtaining criminal records until after determining the applicant meets basic qualifications for the job.

An employer wouldn’t be allowed to advertise jobs openings in a ...