California DFEH Finds Violations of “Ban the Box” Law Called Fair Chance Act
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On October 20, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) announced a new effort to identify and correct...
View ArticleMichigan Bill Requires DOB on Court Records to Help Background Check Firms
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On October 5, 2021, House Bill 5368 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives and would require date of birth (DOB) to be...
View ArticleNew Jersey “Ban the Box” Enforcement Sweep Causes Changes in Hiring Policies
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On September 30, 2021, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development...
View ArticleMichigan Will Allow for Expungement of Certain Drunk Driving Convictions
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On August 23, 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4219 and 4220 to allow for the expungement of convictions for a...
View ArticleIllinois Law Prevents Unnecessary Police Background Checks at Public Meetings
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On August 13, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the “Empowering Public Participation Act” House Bill 1765 (HB 1765) that is...
View ArticleConnecticut Prohibits Questions about Age on Initial Job Applications
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn A law in Connecticut that takes effect on October 1, 2021 – “An Act Deterring Age Discrimination In Employment Applications” (Senate Bill No....
View ArticleLouisiana Law Affects Employers Conducting Background Checks on Applicants
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn The state of Louisiana has passed a law – Act No. 406 (HB 707) – that affects businesses conducting background checks on applicants before...
View ArticleNevada to Ban Salary History Inquiries by Employers Effective October 1, 2021
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn A law passed in Nevada that will take effect on October 1, 2021 – Senate Bill No. 293 (SB 293) – will restrict employers from inquiring into...
View ArticleMichigan Delays Date of Birth (DOB) Redaction in Criminal Records Until 2022
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On June 30, 2021, the Michigan Supreme Court issued orders to delay the implementation of ADM File No. 2017-28 and ADM File No. 2020-26 that...
View ArticleDOB Redaction in Michigan Court Records Makes Background Checks Difficult
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn “Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who are looking for work could be facing new challenges in their job hunt” as Michigan courts will...
View ArticleNew Jersey Fair Chance in Housing Act Helps Ex-Offenders Find a Place to Live
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On June 3, 2021, the New Jersey Senate and State Assembly passed the “Fair Chance in Housing Act” (Assembly Bill 1919) that will give...
View ArticlePBSA Issues Call to Action Regarding DOB Redaction in Michigan Court Records
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) – a non-profit trade organization representing firms performing background checks...
View ArticleCalifornia Considering Legislation that Would Limit Access to Criminal Records
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn The California Legislature is in the process of considering legislation – California Senate Bill 731 (SB 731) – that, if enacted, would limit...
View ArticleGeorgia Law Gives Rehabilitated Ex-Offenders a Second Chance at Employment
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On January 1, 2021, Georgia Senate Bill 288 (SB 288) took effect to give ex-offenders a chance to petition their sentencing court to restrict...
View ArticleArizona Law Helps Ex-Offenders Obtain Employment and Occupational Licenses
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On April 1, 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2067 (HB 2067) into law to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) and...
View ArticleAlabama Passes REDEEMER Act to Help Give Ex-Offenders a Second Chance
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law the Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment and Eliminate Recidivism Act (REDEEMER...
View ArticleKentucky Reentry Law Will Give Employers Protection When Hiring Ex-Offenders
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On April 5, 2021, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed into law House Bill 497 (HB 497) that will create a certificate program to give...
View ArticleNew York State Legalizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Away from Workplace
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On March 31, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) which, effective...
View ArticleIllinois Amends “Ban the Box” Law to Help Job Applicants with Criminal Records
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On March 23, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed “The Employee Background Fairness Act” (Senate Bill 1480) into law to add a new...
View ArticleNew York Proposes “Clean Slate” Bill to Seal and Expunge Criminal Records
ESR News Blog Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn A “Clean Slate” bill proposed in the New York State Senate would create a two-step process to automatically seal and eventually expunge – or...
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