Wyoming Bill Would Prevent Employers From Asking About Criminal History

Employers would no longer be allowed to ask about a person’s criminal history in most cases on an employment application, should a proposal in the Wyoming House of Representatives become law.

House Bill 269 would make it a “discriminatory or unfair employment practice” for an employer to request information on a job application about an applicant’s criminal history.

However, employers would be able to ask about criminal convictions that would, under state or federal law, automatically disqualify an applicant from holding the position for which they are applying.

For example, employers hiring someone as a security guard would be able to ask whether applicants have been convicted of a felony. Convicted felons are banned from possessing guns or ammunition for life, and as such would be unable to perform the duties of a security guard in many cases.

The proposal is sponsored by Rep. James W. Byrd (D-Cheyenne).