ATLANTA— State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) today released the following statement regarding Governor Deal’s executive order to remove the question about felony convictions from state employment applications:
“This law will play a vital role in helping to make Georgia more competitive, while also increasing the ranks of our workforce. I cannot express how excited I am to be a part of such an enormously important piece of legislation. The fact that Georgia is among the first few states in the nation to take such a progressive position when dealing with the challenges and needs of our residents, speaks volumes about the commitment of the governor and members of the General Assembly. This is truly a great day for the state of Georgia.”
In the 2014 legislative session, Rep. Waites co-authored House Bill 9, legislation similar to Governor Deal’s executive order that would have also eliminated the question about felony convictions from state employment applications. Governor Deal’s executive order, which has been nicknamed “ban the box,” was signed on Monday, February 23, 2015.
For more information on the “ban the box” executive order, please click here.
Representative Keisha Waites represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
###