Waterloo Times

The Iowa Supreme Court voted in favor of the "Ban the Box" initiative last week, which removes the checkbox on Iowa employment applications that ask applicants if they have committed a felony. 

"Today, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld Waterloo’s initiative to Ban the Box that removed barriers to employment faced by returning citizens. I’m proud that Waterloo is leading the way on this. Our best days are ahead," Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart said in a Twitter post. 

The ordinance was approved 5-1 and while the court ruled to ban employers from asked about someone's criminal record through an application for a job, it did shoot down other provisions that included banning employers from making a hiring decision based exclusively on a criminal record, an article by Iowa Public Radio clarified.  

"Today's decision by the Iowa Supreme Court is an incredible step in the right direction," Hart said in the Twitter post. "It also proves that our communities need to continue to work hard to remove barriers to employment for those wanting to work."  

This ordinance makes history for Iowa. It's the first of its kind in the state, the Iowa Public Radio article stated. 

Waterloo, Iowa, passed an ordinance in 2019 that was similar and caused upset from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. It  sued Waterloo for allegedly violating state law that regulates municipal regulation of hiring decisions, Iowa Public Radio reported. 

According to IPR, those who support the "Ban the Box" believe it will help address racial employment disparities in a city that has a bad reputation regarding work opportunities to Black people. 

"This decision will not only help the individuals looking for work. It also helps the businesses," Hart said in the Twitter post. "We're coming off a COVID-impacted year. And right now there are businesses that are looking for qualified workers to work in their business to work in their factories, and this is a step in the right direction, and Waterloo is leading the way. So thank you, City Council. Thank you Human Rights Commission, and let's keep working for one Iowa." 

Hart is seeking reelection this year, according to a Twitter post.