by Pamela Q. Devata, Jennifer L. Mora, Stacey L. Blecher - Seyfarth

Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 27, 2020, the Suffolk County Legislature filed with the Secretary of State an amendment to the county’s Human Rights Code to include a new “Fair Employment Screening” section. As a result, effective August 25, 2020, Suffolk County, New York employers with 15 or more employees will be restricted in their ability to make pre-employment inquiries about an applicant’s criminal history. Because other New York cities and counties have enacted similar laws, such as in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Westchester County, employers operating in the Empire State should consider reviewing their hiring practices to ensure compliance in all jurisdictions.