Trenton, NJ: On Thursday, June 5, 2014, the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved NJ Assembly Bill A-1999, the “Opportunity to Compete Act” bill, otherwise known as the “Ban the Box” bill. Introduced and co-sponsored by state Sens. Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City), Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), the bill would prohibit employers from inquiring about an applicant’s past arrest history or criminal record until later in the job application process. (see Prior Post for more information on this bill). Continue reading here…