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Some NM Job Seekers May Not Have To Disclose Criminal Record

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico could become the second state in the nation to "ban the box" after lawmakers approved a measure to prohibit government agency job application forms from asking would-be workers if they'd ever been convicted of a crime.

The bill's sponsor, Clovis Republican Sen. Clint Harden, says many people have a record from a stupid mistake they made years ago.

Harden says the measure gives people a chance to explain.

Gov. Bill Richardson still must sign the bill for it to become law.

His spokesman, Gilbert Gallegos, says Richardson will take his time to review it before deciding.

The legislation doesn't prohibit government employers from asking about convictions in face-to-face interviews.

It also doesn't stop them from doing background checks.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.