Maricopa County will soon stop asking job applicants about their criminal convictions.

The state’s most populous county is following the lead of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey who recently directed state agencies to remove questions about criminal history from their job applications.

"When former inmates find good jobs, it makes our economy stronger and our community safer," said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Denny Barney.

Beginning next year, Maricopa County’s policy will eliminate the question in the initial hiring stage, but will still require background investigations later in the process.

The change doesn’t apply to some departments, primarily those dealing with law enforcement.