During the 2019 legislative session, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the Criminal Records Screening (or “Ban-the-Box”) Act. On January 30, 2020, however, the Maryland General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto.
The City of St. Louis, Missouri enacted a ban-the-box ordinance prohibiting employers within the city from basing promotions or hiring decisions on an individual’s criminal history or a related sentence. The ordinance will take effect January 1, 2021.
On December 20, 2019, the president signed legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which includes the federal Fair Chance Act.
On October 8, 2019, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed a law that restricts an employer’s use of an employee’s or job applicant’s credit history or report.
Employers should continue to exercise caution and care in drafting their criminal record screening policies. A recent settlement by Dollar General and the EEOC underscores this point.
Columbia, South Carolina passed an ordinance effective August 6, 2019, limiting employers’ use of criminal background checks and banning employers from inquiring about salary history on job applications.
On August 6, 2019, the 5th Circuit dealt the EEOC a significant setback, largely affirming the district court’s decision that the EEOC violated the APA in issuing its 2012 Enforcement Guidance on criminal history.
The Nevada Legislature had a busy 80th session in 2019, enacting a vast array of new laws affecting employers. This article briefly discusses several key developments that are in effect or will become effective in the State of Nevada.
