State Sen. Quinton Ross Wants to “Ban the Box”

A state lawmaker from Montgomery says he’ll introduce legislation that will help those with felony convictions to get jobs more easily.

Senate Minority Leader Quinton Ross (D-Montgomery) says his “ban the box” bill would remove the check-box that requires convicted felons to identify their criminal history on state job applications.

Ross wants to allow them to wait until a job has been offered before disclosing their criminal history.

Ross says the question forces people to serve a second sentence of joblessness. He also says his bill would help reduce prison overcrowding.

The Alabama Legislature meets for its regular session starting Feb. 2.