Background Check News
From FCRA compliance and Ban the Box laws to marijuana regulations and salary history bans, background check thought leaders share their insights on the latest news and developments in this ever-changing industry.
California Employment Marijuana Screening Claim Includes Some Important Employer Reminders
A U.S. District Court in California recently dismissed a job applicant’s disability discrimination claim regarding pre-employment marijuana testing. The ruling serves as a reminder to employers that they can, in fact, still condition an employment offer on the...
The City of Philadelphia Illegalizes Pre-Employment Testing for Marijuana
Despite positive rates in the US for urine drug testing having increased to 4.5% and those for marijuana testing having increased 11% and 29% in urine testing from 2018-2019 and since 2015, respectively, the City Council of Philadelphia approved legislation last month...
If Passed, Connecticut Bill would Prevent Background Checks for College Students
A proposed bill to prohibit higher learning institutions in Connecticut from inquiring about a prospective student’s criminal history during the application process was recently approved by the Judiciary Committee and is now being sent to the House for approval. If...
Alabama’s REDEEMER Act Expunges Misdemeanors, Gives Ex-Offenders a Second Chance
Beginning July, 2021, a new law takes effect in Alabama called the Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism Act (REDEEMER Act). This new legislation stipulates that records for those convicted of misdemeanors and other nonviolent...
Will the Workforce Justice Act of 2021 Pass?
In early March of this year, Representatives recently introduced the Workforce Justice Act of 2021. If passed, it would give states three years to implement consistent Ban the Box policies that prohibit employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history...
Hire Image’s Top Ten Background Screening Predictions for 2021
1. Background Screening Challenges Will Continue as a Result of COVID-19 Government, business, and education closures in 2020 due to the pandemic have significantly and negatively affected myriad industries including background screening. Industries will continue to...
Lakeland, Florida Bans the Box
In 1998, Hawaii was the first state to Ban the Box. Since then, 33 states and more than 150 municipalities have also banned the box. The state of Florida has not banned the box but many municipalities within the state have legislation enacted to Ban the Box including...
New York City Amends its Fair Chance Act
Effective July 29, 2021, New York City employers will be pointedly more limited with regard to actions allowed against employees, applicants, and independent contractors as they relate to criminal background checks. Since 2015, New York City’s Fair Chance Act (FCA)...
Attention Montgomery County, Maryland Employers: Ban the Box Amendments Go Into Effect February 19th
The recent amendments expand the scope of the law by providing that an employer must not, at any time before the extension of a conditional employment offer to the applicant: (1) require the applicant to disclose whether he or she has an arrest or conviction record,...