Legislation Details

Reference No. CB-090-2023    Draft No.
Type: Council Bill Status: Enacted
Meeting Body County Council
Meeting Date 11/14/2023
Introduced Date 10/17/2023 Public Hearing Date 11/14/2023 @ 1:00 PM
Effective date: 1/29/2024    
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING FAIR CRIMINAL RECORD SCREENING STANDARDS for the purpose of prohibiting certain employers from conducting a criminal background check or otherwise inquiring into an applicant’s criminal record until the conclusion of a first interview; requiring certain employers to provide prior notice to an applicant when rescinding an offer of employment providing for enforcement by the Executive Director of the Office of Human Rights; and generally regulating the use of criminal records in the hiring process by certain employers.
Proposers/Sponsors: Edward P. Burroughs, Krystal Oriadha, Calvin S. Hawkins, Ingrid S. Watson, Thomas E. Dernoga, Jolene Ivey, Wanika Fisher, Mel Franklin, Wala Blegay
Attachments: 1. B2023090, 2. CB-090-2023 Summary, 3. CB-090-2023 Report, 4. CB-090-2023 PAFI
Contact: Jibril Brown

Title

AN ACT CONCERNING FAIR CRIMINAL RECORD SCREENING STANDARDS for the purpose of prohibiting certain employers from conducting a criminal background check or otherwise inquiring into an applicant’s criminal record until the conclusion of a first interview; requiring certain employers to provide prior notice to an applicant when rescinding an offer of employment providing for enforcement by the Executive Director of the Office of Human Rights; and generally regulating the use of criminal records in the hiring process by certain employers.

 

Background

It has been discovered that some individuals applying to various fire departments have been questioned about prior and/or current cannabis use. With recreational cannabis being legal as of July 1, 2023, this question should no longer be permissible during the application process. This bill adds section 2-231.04(b), which prohibits the County, as an employer, from making any inquire into an applicant's cannabis use.