The Bucks County Commissioners on Wednesday adopted two new policies to make it easier for people with criminal histories to obtain jobs with the county and applicants will no longer be asked prior salary history on job applications. 

The new “fair chance” and “equal pay” polices will only apply to those seeking employment inside county government, Solicitor  Joseph Khan, said. 

The “fair chance” policy, also called”Ban the Box” because job seekers had to check off a box indicating one had a prior criminal history, will not bar the county from asking about past crimes officials said. 

“It changes the timing of when those questions get asked” Kahn said, pointing to the potentially disqualifying effects years old convictions can have, especially those connected to substance abuse disorders. 

The goal of the equal pay policy is to create a level playing field for women who are often are paid less performing the same jobs as men even though they possess the same skills and work experiences, said officials. 

“We are a role model now because what we are basically saying is, everybody has an equal chance,” Chairwoman Diane Ellis-Marseglia said 

Both items were  passed unanimous by the commissioners.