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Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLYArticle XII — CONSIDERATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY OF PEOPLE APPLYING FOR OR SERVING ON CERTAIN CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND OTHER BODIES

SEC. 16.502. REQUESTS FOR AND USE OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION.

San Francisco Administrative Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco

(a) Regarding appointment to or removal from positions on Board Policy Bodies, City employees and officers shall not, at any time or by any means, inquire about, require disclosure of, or if such information is received base an Adverse Action in whole or in part on:

(1) An Arrest not leading to a Conviction, excepting an Unresolved Arrest under circumstances identified in this Section 16.502;

(2) Participation in or completion of a diversion or a deferral of judgment program;

(3) A Conviction that has been judicially dismissed, expunged, voided, invalidated, or otherwise rendered inoperative, by way of example but not limitation, under California Penal Code sections 1203.4, 1203.4a, or 1203.41;

(4) A Conviction or any other determination or adjudication in the juvenile justice system, or information regarding a matter considered in or processed through the juvenile justice system;

(5) A Conviction that is more than seven years old, the date of Conviction being the date of sentencing; or

(6) Information pertaining to an offense other than a felony or misdemeanor, such as an infraction.

Accordingly, the matters identified in this subsection (a) may not be considered in any manner by a City employee or officer in making a decision regarding appointment to or removal from positions on Board Policy Bodies.

(b) No City employee or officer shall require Applicants to disclose on any application for membership on a Board Policy Body the facts or details of any Conviction History, any Unresolved Arrest, or any matter identified in subsections (a)(1)-(6). Nor shall any City employee or officer inquire on any application for membership on a Board Policy Body about the facts or details of any Conviction History, any Unresolved Arrest, or any matter identified in subsections (a)(1)-(6). A City employee or officer may ask on an application for membership on a Board Policy Body for an Applicant or Member's written consent for a Background Check so long as the application includes a clear and conspicuous statement that the City will not itself conduct or obtain from a third party the Background Check until either after the first live interview with the person, after the first public hearing regarding the person's potential appointment, or after conditional offer of appointment in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section 16.502.

(c) No City employee or officer shall require Applicants for membership on a Policy Body to disclose, and shall not inquire into or discuss, their Conviction History or an Unresolved Arrest until either after the first live interview with the person (via telephone, videoconferencing, use of other technology, or in person), after the first public hearing regarding the person's potential appointment, or, at the City's discretion, after a conditional offer of appointment. The City may not itself conduct or obtain from a third party a Background Check until either after the first live interview with the person, after the first public hearing regarding the person's potential appointment, or after a conditional offer of appointment.

irst public hearing regarding the person's potential appointment, or, at the City's discretion, after a conditional offer of appointment. The City may not itself conduct or obtain from a third party a Background Check until either after the first live interview with the person, after the first public hearing regarding the person's potential appointment, or after a conditional offer of appointment.

(d) Prior to any Conviction History inquiry, the City shall provide notice to the Applicant or Member that substantially conforms to the notice requirement described in Police Code Section 4905(b).

(e) Prior to obtaining a copy of a Background Check Report, the City shall comply with all state and federal requirements including but not limited to those in the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA), California Civil Code sections 1786 et seq., and the Federal Consumer Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 United States Code sections 1681 et seq., to provide notice to the Applicant or Member that such a report is being sought.

(f) In making a decision based on an Applicant or Member's Conviction History, a City employee or officer shall conduct an individualized assessment, considering only Directly-Related Convictions, the time that has elapsed since the Conviction or Unresolved Arrest, and any evidence of inaccuracy or Evidence of Rehabilitation or Other Mitigating Factors.

(g) If a City employee or officer intends to base an Adverse Action on an item or items in the Applicant or Member's Conviction History, the City employee or officer shall provide the Applicant or Member with a copy of the Background Check Report, if any, and shall notify the Applicant or

Member of the prospective Adverse Action and the items forming the basis for the prospective Adverse Action.

(h) City employees and officers shall not engage in any communication that is intended and reasonably likely to reach persons who are reasonably likely to seek appointment to a Board Policy Body, and that expresses, directly or indirectly, that any person with an Arrest or Conviction will not be considered or may not apply for membership on a Board Policy Body.

(i) References in this Section 16.502 to "City officers and employees" shall be understood to include members of Board Policy Bodies when considering appointment of persons to, and removal of members from, a committee, task force, or other body of a Board Policy Body.

(Added by Ord. 34-16, File No. 150902, App. 3/25/2016, Eff. 4/24/2016)

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Contents — San Francisco Administrative Code
San Francisco Administrative Code
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
  3. Chapter 2A — EXECUTIVE BRANCH
  4. Chapter 2B
  5. Chapter 3 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
  6. Chapter 4 — CITY BUILDINGS E UIPMENT AND VEHICLES , Q,
  7. Chapter 5 — COMMITTEES
  8. Chapter 6 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  9. Chapter 7 — DISASTER COUNCIL
  10. Chapter 8 — DOCUMENTS RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS ,
  11. Chapter 9A — FARMERS' MARKET
  12. Chapter 9B — FLEA MARKET
  13. Chapter 10 — FINANCE TAXATION AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ,,
  14. Chapter 10A — [REQUEST FOR SHERIFF’S SERVICES]
  15. Chapter 10B — SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
  16. Chapter 10C — REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES
  17. Chapter 10D — [RESERVED] CHAPTER 10E: PLANNING MONITORING
  18. Chapter 10F
  19. Chapter 10G
  20. Chapter 10H — RECOVERY OF COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  21. Chapter 11 — FRANCHISES
  22. Chapter 12 — HOUSING AUTHORITY
  23. Chapter 12A
  24. Chapter 12B — [REDESIGNATED]
  25. Chapter 12C — [REDESIGNATED]
  26. Chapter 12D — MINORITY/WOMEN/LOCAL BUSINESS UTILIZATION
  27. Chapter 12E — BAN ON CITY USE OF GAS-POWERED LANDSCAPING EQUIP…
  28. Chapter 12F — IMPLEMENTING THE MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES – NORTHERN …
  29. Chapter 12G — PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL…
  30. Chapter 12H — IMMIGRATION STATUS
  31. Chapter 12I — CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETAINERS
  32. Chapter 12J — CITY BUSINESS WITH BURMA PROHIBITED
  33. Chapter 12K — [REDESIGNATED]
  34. Chapter 12L
  35. Chapter 12M
  36. Chapter 12N — LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND …
  37. Chapter 12O — [REDESIGNATED]
  38. Chapter 12P — [REDESIGNATED]
  39. Chapter 12Q — [REDESIGNATED]
  40. Chapter 12R — [REDESIGNATED]
  41. Chapter 12S — WORKING FAMILIES CREDIT PROGRAM
  42. Chapter 12T — [REDESIGNATED]
  43. Chapter 12U
  44. Chapter 12V — [REDESIGNATED]
  45. Chapter 12W — [REDESIGNATED] 1
  46. Chapter 12X — [REPEALED]
  47. Chapter 12Y
  48. Chapter 12Z — [REDESIGNATED]
  49. Chapter 13 — JAILS AND PRISONERS
  50. Chapter 14 — [REDESIGNATED]
  51. Chapter 14A — DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
  52. Chapter 14B — LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION AND NON-DI…
  53. Chapter 14C — [EXPIRED]
  54. Chapter 15 — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
  55. Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
  56. Chapter 17 — PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
  57. Chapter 18 — PAYROLL PROCEDURE
  58. Chapter 19 — PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA ORDINANCE
  59. Chapter 19A — PUBLIC HEALTH
  60. Chapter 19B — ACQUISITION OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
  61. Chapter 20 — SOCIAL SERVICES
  62. Chapter 21 — ACQUISITION OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  63. Chapter 21A — HEALTH-RELATED COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  64. Chapter 21B — CORE INITIATIVES ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, DRUG O…
  65. Chapter 21C — [REDESIGNATED]
  66. Chapter 21D — FOOD PURCHASES AT HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE DEPA…
  67. Chapter 21E — GOODS OR SERVICES CONTRACTS FOR INCARCERATED PER…
  68. Chapter 21F — SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SOCIAL…
  69. Chapter 21G
  70. Chapter 21H — PROCUREMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
  71. Chapter 22 — RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  72. Chapter 22A — INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
  73. Chapter 22B — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  74. Chapter 22C — PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS
  75. Chapter 22D — OPEN DATA POLICY
  76. Chapter 22E — CITY-OWNED FIBER-OPTIC FACILITIES
  77. Chapter 22G — OFFICE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
  78. Chapter 22H — DESIGNATION UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY A…
  79. Chapter 22I — OFFICE OF CYBER SECURITY AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF…
  80. Chapter 22J — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
  81. Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
  82. Chapter 23A — SURPLUS PUBLIC LANDS ORDINANCE
  83. Chapter 24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
  84. Chapter 24A — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE LOCAL RENT SUPPLEMENT P…
  85. Chapter 24B — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
  86. Chapter 25 — STREET LIGHTING
  87. Chapter 26 — [RESERVED]
  88. Chapter 27 — HEALTHY NAIL SALON RECOGNITION PROGRAM
  89. Chapter 28 — ADMINISTRATIVE DEBARMENT PROCEDURE
  90. Chapter 29 — FINDINGS OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
  91. Chapter 29A — APPROVAL OF POWER PLANT PLANNING CODE SEC. 303 C…
  92. Chapter 29B — CHILD CARE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CITY AND CITY-F…
  93. Chapter 30 — CENTRALIZATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
  94. Chapter 31 — CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PROCEDURES A…
  95. Chapter 32 — RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
  96. Chapter 33 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
  97. Chapter 33A — LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVE…
  98. Chapter 34 — NOTIFICATION TO ASSESSOR CONCERNING ZONING RECLAS…
  99. Chapter 35 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL AND PDR COMPATIBILITY AND PROTE…
  100. Chapter 36 — COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS AREA PLANS AND PROGRAMS
  101. Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION OR…
  102. Chapter 37A — RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION FEE
  103. Chapter 37B — MIDTOWN PARK APARTMENTS
  104. Chapter 37C — [EXPIRED]
  105. Chapter 38 — COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS; ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATI…
  106. Chapter 39 — [RIGHT TO RETURN TO REVITALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING]
  107. Chapter 40 — HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
  108. Chapter 41 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  109. Chapter 41A — RESIDENTIAL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  110. Chapter 41B — COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ACT
  111. Chapter 41C — TIME-SHARE CONVERSION ORDINANCE
  112. Chapter 41D — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL VISITOR POLICIES
  113. Chapter 41E — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL MAIL RECEPTACLE ORDINANCE
  114. Chapter 41F
  115. Chapter 41G — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
  116. Chapter 41H — [EXPIRED]
  117. Chapter 42 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
  118. Chapter 43 — MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW
  119. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.1.1. TITLE.
  120. Title 2 — FINANCING RESIDENCES SEC. 43.1.7. LOANS FOR RESIDENC…
  121. Title 3 — BONDS
  122. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
  123. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.2.1. TITLE.
  124. Title 2 — FINANCING FACILITIES
  125. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.2.17. ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
  126. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.2.27. LIBERAL CONSTR…
  127. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.1. TITLE.
  128. Title 2 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORMATION OF DISTRICTS SEC. 4…
  129. Title 3 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BONDS SEC. 43.10.18. ALTERNAT…
  130. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.22. LIBERAL CONST…
  131. Title 5 — CHANGE PROCEEDINGS SEC. 43.10.26. ALTERNATE PROCEDUR…
  132. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.15.1. TIT…
  133. Title 2 — RESIDENCES SEC. 43.15.6. LOANS TO QUALIFIED 501(c)(3…
  134. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.15.15. ISSUANCE OF BONDS; LOANS TO QUA…
  135. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.15.25. LIBERAL CONST…

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