Criminal Background Checks are constantly under fire for compliance and equality to applicants. Laws are changing at all levels and it is important to know what laws apply to your organization. Here are a few changes since January that may affect your hiring process.
Colorado
Effective Date: August 2
Criminal Conviction Expungement- If an applicant has a record sealed or expunged, they may state they have no criminal convictions if asked. Employers may not refuse to hire an applicant based exclusively on a refusal to disclose these records.
Colorado Chance to Compete Act (CCCA) restricts an employer’s use of criminal history in the job advertisement and from asking about an applicant’s criminal background on an application.
Maine
Effective Date: September 17
Applicant Privacy- Employers may not request an applicant’s social security number unless it will be used for a pre-employment background check or drug testing.
New Mexico
Effective Date: June 14
Criminal Background Checks- “Ban the Box” prohibits private employers from inquiring about an applicant’s arrest or conviction history until after “discussion” of employment with the applicant.
North Dakota
Effective Date: August 1
Marijuana Decriminalization- Decriminalized marijuana use for a person 21 years or older. The law does not require that employers accommodate employee or applicant marijuana use.
Oklahoma
Effective Date: August 29
Medical Marijuana- Employers may not discriminate against licensed medical marijuana users solely based on a positive test for marijuana.
Vermont
Criminal Conviction Expungement- Employers are prohibited from requiring that an applicant disclose an expunged or sealed criminal record. If asked, the person may respond that “no criminal record exists.”
While we strive to keep you current on new employments laws and legislation, we suggest you consult your employment attorney with any questions.