This Law Firm Publication by Jackson Lewis P.C. discusses Vermont's new "Ban the Box" law (H. 261). The new law, which was signed by Governor Peter Shumlin on May 3, 2016, prohibits employers from, in most circumstances, requesting criminal history record information on an individual's initial employment application form. Employers may still question applicants about their criminal records during job interviews, but must allow interviewees the opportunity to explain their criminal records, if they are deemed eligible for the position. The new ban the box law becomes effective on July 1, 2017.