Ban the Box Meeting 4-29-2026

The Augusta, Georgia government held a work session on April 29, 2026, focused on reviewing and amending the city's "Ban the Box" hiring policy to better protect justice-impacted individuals from discrimination in employment. The discussion centered on proposed amendments to the existing ordinance and personnel policies to ensure fair hiring practices, including removing criminal history questions from job applications and implementing individualized assessments by the Human Resources (HR) department. The session addressed concerns about the decision-making authority of HR versus department heads, confidentiality, appeal processes, and the potential role of oversight bodies such as the Human Relations Commission. Participants emphasized the need for second-chance employment opportunities, clear criteria for disqualifying offenses, and ongoing community engagement to promote equitable hiring both within city government and the broader business community. No specific contract awards, procurement decisions, or budget allocations were discussed during this meeting.