"Ban the Box" becomes the law in Rhode Island

Among the newest laws enacted in Rhode Island is one that will prohibit prospective employers from including questions on job applications regarding arrests, charges or criminal convictions. Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law this week by Gov. Lincoln Chafee provides that potential employers would only be allowed to probe a job applicant’s criminal background at the first personal interview following the application process, and any time thereafter. The so-called “ban the box” law applies to employers with at least four employees.