The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) enforces two key laws that protect the rights of Returning Citizens – District residents who have had prior involvement with the DC justice system, including but not limited to incarceration.

In 2014, the DC Council unanimously passed the Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act, also known as “Ban the Box,” which prohibits employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history on initial applications. This was followed in 2016 by the Fair Criminal Record Screening Act for Housing of 2016, extending similar protections in the housing application process. 

You can find more information on each law and file claims of discrimination using the links provided below: 

1. Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act of 2014 (FRCSA)

• This act prohibits employers with 11 or more employees from unlawfully screening a job applicant’s criminal background. 
• Under the FRCSA, employers may not ask applicants about: 
  1. Arrests;
  2. Criminal accusations made against the applicant that are not pending or did not result in a conviction; or
  3. Criminal convictions
• Individuals who believe a potential employer has violated the law may file a complaint with OHR. 
• All complaints must have occurred on or after the law's effective date of December 17, 2014.
• Please visit the FCRSA page to learn more about this law and its requirements. 

2. Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act of 2016 (FCRSHA)

• This act prevents the unlawful screening of a housing applicant’s criminal background. 
• The law imposes several requirements for rental housing providers including:
  1. Provision of written notice of rent eligibility criteria to applicants; and
  2. Refraining from making any inquiries or asking questions about an applicant’s criminal background or arrest history at any time prior to making a conditional offer of housing to the applicant.
• Applicants who believe a housing provider has violated the law may file a complaint with OHR. 
• All complaints must have occurred on or after the law's effective date of October 1, 2017. 
• Please visit the FCRSHA page to learn more about this law and its requirements.

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Additional Questions or Comments
If you have any further questions about the above information, submitting a complaint based on an alleged discriminatory incident, please contact us via:

• E-mail: [email protected]
• In-Person: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001
• Phone: (202) 727-4559

When you call or visit us and require language assistance, our staff will connect you with a live interpreter to ensure we can assist you effectively.

Please note that while OHR is available to answer questions to the best of our ability, any information provided should not be considered legal advice.

 

This webpage was last updated on June 27, 2025