Maine is the latest state to follow the nationwide “Ban-the-Box” trend that prohibits employers from inquiring about criminal history on an initial employee application form. LD 1167 (HP 845) takes effect on Oct. 18,
The law also prohibits an employer from otherwise specifying prior to determining a person is qualified for the position that an individual with a criminal history will not be considered.
There are some exceptions to those prohibitions, including instances in which federal or state law, regulation, or rule mandates that a criminal conviction disqualifies an applicant from a position, imposes an obligation on an employer not to hire an applicant who has been convicted of a certain type of offense, or requires that an employer conduct a criminal history record check.