If you are seeking employment in Connecticut, you are covered by its Fair Chance Employment Law, which is a “Ban the Box” law. The law applies to both private and public employers.
Under this law, an employer cannot ask about your prior arrests, criminal charges, or convictions on an initial employment application. The exceptions to this rule are if 1) the employer is required to do so by an applicable state or federal law, or 2) a security or fidelity bond or an equivalent bond is required for the position. An employer cannot ask about an erased record at any time.
In addition, this law bars employers from discriminating against you because of your criminal history. An employer cannot refuse to hire you or fire you solely because you have prior arrests or convictions.
There are a few cities within Connecticut that have their own “Ban the Box” Laws.
Norwich:
If you are seeking employment at a government agency in the City of Norwich, you are covered by its Ban the Box ordinance. The ordinance only applied to public sector jobs in the City of Norwich.
Under this ordinance, an employer cannot ask about your criminal history or run a background check until you have been interviewed for the position you applied for. The initial application form for the position should not include any questions that ask you to disclose a prior criminal conviction. However, the application will contain a notice informing you that all job applicants, if among the finalists for the position they are applying for, will undergo a background check after receiving a conditional offer of employment.