The Fair Chance Improvement Act (AB 2095)

We are calling California Lawmakers to pass the Fair Chance Improvement Act, AB 2095!

Why are we advocating?

Despite the gains of the California Fair Chance Act, discrimination in employment against people with convictions continues to be rampant. More than 7 million people in California have a conviction history, including 2.5 million working-age Californians with a felony conviction. The unemployment rate for people with convictions is many times higher than the general unemployment rate. In fact, 60 percent of recently released formerly incarcerated people are likely jobless at the moment.

Additionally, Black and Brown communities are disproportionately impacted by overcriminalization and higher rates of incarceration and therefore disproportionately face employment-related collateral consequences that limit opportunities for gainful employment and overall economic mobility.

The Fair Chance Improvement Act protects job seekers by requiring employers to justify why they won't hire someone with a record. It gives applicants the right to see why they were disqualified and a fair chance to defend their background with evidence of personal growth.

AB 2095 will empower employers to use conviction history information only when there is a business necessity to do so. Employers required by a state or federal law to conduct criminal history background checks are not affected by this bill, such as school districts, childcare facilities, and financial institutions.