"Just because someone comes from a background with the criminal justice system, it doesn't mean they don't have value"- Otto Girr of Miller & Long Co., Inc
On December 17, 2014, the District's Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act - also known as Ban the Box - was enacted to assist in the successful reintegration of previously incarcerated individuals into the community by removing barriers to gainfurl employment. The District of Columbia Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act of 2014: The Work and Enforcement by the DC Office of Human Rights report is the first report issued by the agency that provides greater insight into the enforcement and impact of Washington, DC's progressive fair chance law. The report highlights the work OHR has done since the law was enacted, number of complaints filed and the profound impact on the District's returning citizens. Highlights include:
- Washington, DC as one of first jurisdictions ever in the U.S. to attach a fine structure to create a stronger enforcement mechanism to its fair chance law;
- OHR received a total of 1,824 initial Ban the Box complaints and docketed 1,151 charges for investigation since the law's enactment (as of September 2018);
- 55 percent of resolved cases (515 of 944) were settled successfully through mediation;
- Over $490,000 dollars awarded to complainants through settlements via mediation;
- 149 trainings conducted to educate community members and District employers on Ban the Box; and
- OHR lauded by the National Employment Law Project as a national model for its innovative outreach and effective enforcement of Ban the Box.
We are proud to showcase these highlights and stories and appreciate all who continue to strive to help their peers and community members in the District to suceed in obtaining a fair shot at employment despite their past. Thank for your support of our continued work to combat discrimination in the District.
Download the report: