Kansas City has passed an ordinance adding individuals with criminal histories to its list of protected classes. The ordinance makes it unlawful for city employers to discriminate against a person based on their criminal history in hiring, layoffs, demotions, housing, and business transactions. This builds on the city's 2018 "ban the box" initiative, which barred employers from asking about criminal history until after an individual interviews for the position and the employer determines the individual is otherwise qualified for the position.

The ordinance reiterates that city employers do not violate the ordinance if the city employer:

• Bases a hiring or promotional decision on an applicant's criminal history or sentence but can demonstrate that the decision was based on all information available, including consideration of the frequency, recentness and severity of a criminal record and that the record was reasonably related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Excludes an applicant with certain criminal convictions from employment due to local, state or federal law or regulation or based on an order of protection.

Employers in Kansas City should review their hiring policies and consider how criminal history factors into employment decisions to ensure alignment with the new ordinance.

Source: Kansas City Ordinance 241074

Posted: February 24, 2025

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