The bill prohibits employers from: • Advertising that a person with a criminal history may not apply for a position; • Placing a statement in an employment application that a person with a criminal history may not apply for a position; or • Inquiring about an applicant's criminal history on an initial application. An employer may obtain a job applicant's criminal history at any time.  An employer is exempt from the restrictions on advertising and initial employment applications when: • The law prohibits a person who has a particular criminal history from being employed in a particular job; • The employer is participating in a program to encourage employment of people with criminal histories; or • The employer is required by law to conduct a criminal history record check for the particular position. The department of labor and employment is charged with enforcing the requirements of the bill and may issue warnings and orders of compliance for violations and, for second or subsequent violations, impose civil penalties. A violation of the restrictions does not create a private cause of action, and the bill does not create a protected class under employment anti-discrimination laws. The department is directed to adopt rules regarding procedures for handling complaints against employers.

Year

2019

Current status

  • Governor Signed (05/28/2019)
  • Sent to the Governor (04/29/2019)
  • Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (04/12/2019)
  • Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to Appropriations (03/18/2019)
  • Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary (03/01/2019)
  • House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (2-28-19)
  • House Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee (2-26-19)
  • House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole (2-22-19)
  • House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations (01/29/2019)
  • Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary (01/04/2019)

Sponsors

J. Melton,/ L. Herod /M. Foote / R. Rodriguez

Bill number

HB19-1025

Position

Support