City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed an ordinance that will prohibit employers from requiring job applicants to disclose their criminal backgrounds until after the first employment interview.

After a first interview, employers may perform a background check or request the disclosure of an applicant’s criminal record history.

The ordinance prohibits city agencies and private employers from knowingly inquiring about criminal backgrounds, including arrest records on the employment application. The ordinance is applicable to all employers with workforces of ten or more persons in the City of Philadelphia. As a result, this ordinance will require applicable employers to update their interview and screening process, including the employment application.