San Diego County Adopts Fair Chance Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas: What Employers Need to Know
Following the lead of other California cities and counties, the County of San Diego recently passed a local fair chance ordinance restricting the use of criminal history in employment decisions. Effective October 10, 2024, employers that have five or more employees and are located or doing business in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County must comply with the county’s Fair Chance Ordinance No. 10914 (N.S.). The county’s ordinance further expands on California’s Fair Chance Act (commonly referred to as “Ban the Box”) by reinforcing the state’s limits on the use of criminal history in employment decisions and imposing obligations on employers. While the ordinance provides requirements similar to those under the state law, there are some differences. Importantly, the County of San Diego Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE ) cannot issue fines until July 1, 2025. Quick Hits Effective October 10, 2024, private employers must comply with the county’s Fair Chance Ordinanc...