If you are seeking employment at a government agency in Monroe County, you are covered by the Monroe County Fair Chance Employment Act. This is a “Ban the Box” law and only applies to the county-wide public sector.
Under this act, an employer cannot ask about your criminal history during the application process, ask about your arrest record at any time, or conduct a background check until after you receive a conditional offer of employment (unless required by law or because of the nature of the position). If a background check is not required by law or because of the nature of the position, the County will send you two documents. These documents are: 1) a conditional offer of employment, and 2) a notice that a background check will be conducted before you start work.
There are a few exceptions to the above. The act does not apply to the County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Aviation, the County Children’s Detention Center, or positions where it is required by law to access criminal history information before a conditional offer is made.