by Jesse Taylor - The National Law Review
The latest entry in a nearly decade-long dispute between a plaintiff and his former employer and manager, Mattiaccio v. DHA Grp., Inc., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 129464 (D.D.C. July 21, 2020) is an in-depth analysis of standing under the FCRA in the face of unclear pleading by a pro se litigant.
by Alessia Grunberger - Patch
ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit employers from asking certain job applicants about their criminal history and conducting background checks prior to extending a conditional offer.
Read more: https://patch.com/maryland/rockville/new-bill-would-delay-criminal-background-checks-job-candidates
by Madeleine List - Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE — Mark Gonsalves knows that as a licensed social worker or case manager, he could do even more to help people with mental health conditions and substance-use disorders. But his criminal record, which includes multiple drug- and alcohol-related charges and a history of on-and-off incarceration dating back to 1988, has held him back from obtaining the occupational licenses he needs. A bill passed last week by the General Assembly is about to change that.
by Adam Satariano - The New York Times
LONDON — Europe’s top court on Thursday struck down a trans-Atlantic agreement that allows scores of companies to move data between the European Union and the United States, causing uncertainty for businesses that rely on moving digital information seamlessly around the world.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/business/eu-data-transfer-pact-rejected.html
by Alonzo Martinez - Forbes
For lawmakers, the first half of 2020 has brought a dynamic shift from the typical legislative agenda. Measures frequently debated by lawmakers were tabled while bills aimed at addressing the Covid-19 pandemic rightfully took precedent. Nonetheless, despite a pivot in priorities and a truncated legislative agenda, many laws affecting employers, particularly those aimed at promoting job seekers' and employees' rights, still managed to cross the finish line.
by NCPA Staff - North Central PA
Harrisburg, Pa. - Building on criminal justice reforms and fulfilling a recommendation to modernize job licensing, Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 637, which removes outdated licensing barriers so skilled workers with criminal records can get a second chance and start good careers.
by Editorial Team - HR News
COVID-19 has ushered in changes in just about every area of business. In the last few months businesses have battled with the challenge of not only ensuring the safety of their own staff in the work environment, but also safeguarding corporate data in newly created remote working environments. In these challenging times, the role of supporting and creating great teams falls to HR in a whole new way. As corporate cultures have changed almost overnight with the traditional working environment shifting dramatically.
Read more: http://hrnews.co.uk/covid-19-the-evolution-of-background-screening/
Press Release - Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is making more state-level information available to the public about the complaints it receives from consumers related to COVID-19, with reports about online shopping problems topping the list of complaints in most states.
by KGW Staff - KGW8
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon needs to improve child safety with stronger background checks for child care workers and an improved sex offender registry, a state audit found.
The Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division said that while the majority of child care providers have no criminal convictions, the Oregon Department of Education’s Office of Child Care (OCC) and the Department of Human Services’ Background Check Unit (BCU) have approved some child care workers who have in the past committed crimes such as child abuse or neglect.
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.
Read more: https://www.seyfarth.com/news-insights/another-new-york-locality-bans-the-box.html
