Philadelphia Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards Act (Ch. 9-3500)

Applies to every Philadelphia employer regardless of size; 7-year conviction lookback, 10-business-day response window, and private right of action.

Effective: July 17, 2011 (substantially amended 2016 and 2021)

Covered employers

Any employer with one or more employees in Philadelphia.

Timing of inquiry

Conviction-history inquiries prohibited until after a conditional offer. Pending charges, arrests that did not lead to conviction, and convictions older than 7 years may not be considered.

Individualized assessment

Six statutory factors must be weighed in writing, with particular focus on the relationship between the offense and the specific job duties.

Adverse-action workflow

Written notice of rescission with a copy of the report and the reasoning; candidate has 10 business days to respond with evidence of rehabilitation or inaccuracy.

Notice & posting

Job postings may not include blanket exclusions; required workplace posting of the City's Fair Chance notice.

Enforcement & penalties

Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. Civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation plus compensatory and punitive damages in private actions.

Citations

Phila. Code §9-3501 et seq.

All city compliance pages