The federal Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (also known as the Fair Chance Act) officially took effect on the 20th of December, 2021. It was signed two years ago with the goal of prohibiting federal contractors from asking applicants about their criminal records until after a conditional offer of employment is extended.
The "Ban the Box" laws are intended to make it easier for justice-involved job seekers to find employment, providing opportunities for people who would otherwise not be considered because of the early screening for criminal backgrounds. This new act means that federal contractors are now required to revise their hiring policies to include a larger pool of job seekers.
Source:
https://www.hrlawwatch.com/2021/12/22/ban-the-box-act-takes-effect-for-federal-contractors/