Help us pass the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance in Baton Rouge!

The Baton Rouge Fair Chance Coalition is a group of local advocacy organizations that have assembled to advocate for those who are formerly incarcerated and/ or have criminal records that are seeking employment without discrimination based on their prior convictions.

With the passage of the Fair Chance in Hiring Act, Louisiana made a large leap towards employment justice for those with criminal records, but it is not enough. The Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, also known as Ban the Box ordinance, was first passed on the local level in Baton Rouge in 2016, sponsored by Barbara Frieberg and Councilwoman Chauna Banks.

We are back in 2023 to expand the local ordinance to Contract jobs- meaning any employer with a contract with the city-parish government in East Baton Rouge will be required to follow the Fair Chance in Hiring ordinance and consider hiring formerly incarcerated persons. Our ordinance will also require a procurement process that will provide an opportunity for applicants to file a complaint if their application is indeed rejected and they believe their former conviction played a part in that decision. The Fair Chance in hiring ordinance sponsored by Councilwoman Banks will be voted on April 12th at 4 pm at the Baton Rouge City Hall. 

Please contact your councilperson and let them know you support the passage of the ordinance by submitting a public comment here: https://www.brla.gov/councilcomment 

Read the full text of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance.