Senate Bill 2602 - Ban the Box Act

• Prohibits public employers in Mississippi from asking applicants about criminal history until after they have signed a release waiver, are being considered for a specific position, and have received an interview.

• Exempts public employers required by state or federal law to obtain criminal history information, including positions involving direct interaction with minors or the elderly.

• Requires public employers to consider five factors when evaluating criminal history: nature and gravity of offense, time elapsed since offense, applicant's age at time of offense, relevance to the job duties, and evidence of rehabilitation.

• Prohibits arrests that did not result in conviction from being used as basis for employment disqualification and requires employers to inform applicants of adverse decisions based on background checks and provide opportunity to dispute inaccuracies.

• Establishes jurisdiction for complaints over violations in the circuit court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County; effective July 1, 2022.