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Missouri Governor Signs "Ban the Box" Executive Order


On April 11, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed Executive Order 16-04 which will ban the box in state employment by placing questions in regard to an applicant's criminal history later in the hiring process.  As with most ban the box measures, this is done to provide all applicants with a fair opportunity to compete for jobs, without a criminal background impacting a hiring decision.  Governor Nixon stated that the Executive Order is about "fairness" and is intended to give applicants a chance to "redeem their lives, support their families and make a contribution to their communities...". 

This ban the box measure is surprising in so much that it was done by Executive Order, rather than by an act of the state legislature.  While this action will not impact private sector employers (and employees), it will directly impact all departments, agencies, boards, and commissions in Missouri's executive branch.  Translation = this is far from a drop in the bucket. 


For additional information:  https://governor.mo.gov/news/executive-orders/executive-order-16-04

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