In ban the box states, an employer can no longer ask a job application about his or her prior (or presumed ongoing) criminal history.

Without the ability now to ask about criminal history, the applicant you hire might be a big risk, to you, your employees and your customers.

Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and many states, and even municipal governments view the use of background checks as an unfair hurdle to those with prior…