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Mecklenburg County board members approve "ban the box" initiative

Mecklenburg County job applications are changing.

This week, board members voted unanimously to approve an initiative called "Ban the Box."

This initiative taking place will delete the box off the job application that asks about a person's criminal record.

County commisioner Pat Cotham said the county will still perform background checks.

She said the move is about second chances.

"We're going to be welcoming to people and we're not going to be judgmental. We're not going to let implicit bias prevent us from hiring someone," Cotham said.

Cotham said the changes will take effect immediately.