With Ban the Box recently being named one of the biggest issues of our time, New Hampshire Democrats are seeking major legislative victory by passing House Bill 253, which creates statewide Ban the Box law. The bill would Ban the Box on employment applications.
“It will let people have an opportunity to explain themselves and be considered like anyone else for employment,” said Representative Michael Cahill, D-Newmarket.
On January 30, 2020, the New Hampshire legislature amended the proposed Ban the Box law to include anti-discrimination in hiring language. Given recent academic findings — which gained widespread coverage in conservative press — possibly indicating that Ban the Box laws could slightly contribute to racially discriminatory practices, future proposed Ban the Box laws may start incorporating similar provisions.
The proposed New Hampshire Ban the Box will likely pass and become law. Republican Governor Chris Sununu previously vetoed the legislation, which the Democratic-controlled Legislature overrode. Facing a gubernatorial election this year, Governor Sununu has refrained from publicly commenting on the proposed Ban the Box law or imperiling the law with yet another senseless veto.
