Takeaways

• Philadelphia has amended its Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards ordinance, with changes going into effect 01.06.26.
• Among other changes, employers will only be able to consider misdemeanors convictions from the past four years (reduced from seven years) during the hiring or employee management process.
• Employers should update their procedures and practices to comply with the new law.

• City of Philadelphia - File #: 250373-A

Article

Philadelphia has progressively strengthened its ban the box law, introducing stronger protections for applicants and employees and enhanced penalties for violations.

Beginning Jan. 6, 2026, the latest amendments further limit how employers can consider criminal records during the hiring process and ongoing employment. In addition, employers must follow new procedures before taking adverse employment actions based on criminal records. The amendments also include a broad antiretaliation provision.

Amendments to the Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards ordinance (FCRSS), commonly known as “Ban the Box” regulations, were signed into law on Oct. 8, 2025, and will take effect on Jan. 6, 2026. These amendments, in part, mirror requirements already found in Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), but they go far beyond CHRIA’s requirements.

Key Changes

Lookback: Generally, employers can only consider an individual’s convictions from within the past seven years.

Under the amendments, for...

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