CHAIRMAN RASKIN'S OPENING STATEMENT

CHAIRMAN CONNOLLY'S OPENING STATEMENT

CHAIRMAN CUMMINGS' OPENING STATEMENT

PURPOSE

The purpose of the hearing is to examine the Fair Chance Act, the bill’s impact on formerly incarcerated individuals, and its potential to improve the criminal justice system. The Committee intends to consider the bill at a markup.

BACKGROUND

In September 2015, then-Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings, then-Chairman Darrell Issa, Senator Cory Booker, and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman Ron Johnson introduced the Fair Chance Act (aka “Ban the Box”), bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would help formerly incarcerated individuals obtain some non-sensitive federal jobs by prohibiting federal contractors and agencies from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant until after receiving a conditional offer of employment.

On February 7, 2019, the Fair Chance Act was reintroduced by Chairman Cummings, Ranking Member Doug Collins of the House Committee on the Judiciary, and Senators Booker and Johnson.On February 13, 2019, HSGAC voted favorably by voice vote to report the Fair Chance Act out of Committee.