The Opportunity to Compete Act seeks to make the job application process more fair for all New Jerseyans searching for jobs. Many Americans have to check a box on a job application that asks if they have a past criminal conviction, and employers often throw out these applications without giving the applications a fair chance. The Act asks employers to conduct criminal background checks after an interview has occurred and a conditional offer of employment has been extended to the job applicant. Allowing New Jerseyans to fairly compete for jobs improves public safety, decreases government spending on corrections and law enforcement, and enhances the economy.