The state's ban-the-box law applies to agencies within the executive branch of the Missouri state government and states that executive branch agencies may not include questions about criminal history on their applications. However, the law does allow executive branch agencies to ask about criminal history information when having a conviction would make the person ineligible for the position under the law.
In addition to the state law, the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis have adopted ban-the-box laws. In Kansas City, employers with at least six employees cannot ask about criminal history information until the interview process. Employers are also prohibited from considering a criminal conviction unless it is determined that the conviction directly relates to the requirements of the job.
In St. Louis, the law applies to employers with at least 10 employees. It prohibits employers from asking about criminal history information on job applications, and they can only do so after the applicants have been interviewed unless they conduct criminal background checks on the entire pool of final candidates. Employers also are not allowed to base hiring decisions on criminal convictions unless they have determined that the convictions directly relate to the duties of the jobs.