This year has been filled with many changes to the HR landscape. Whether it’s “Ban the Box” or a new Form I-9, we’ve summed up the changes that made this year one for the handbook.
Philadelphia Bans the Box
January 11, 2016
The Mayor of Philadelphia, PA, approved and signed into law substantial amendments to alter Philadelphia’s existing “Ban the Box” law. The Philadelphia Fair Criminal Records Screening Ordinance was altered per the following guidelines.
DOT Random Controlled Substances Regulations Changed
January 21, 2016
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced changes to its mandatory random substance abuse testing regulation. Effective as of January 1, 2016.
Austin Bans the Box
April 8, 2016
On Thursday, March 24, Austin, Texas City Council passed a Fair Chance Hiring ordinance requiring private employers to delay asking about a job applicant’s criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made. The ordinance intends to give applicants a fair chance at employment by delaying inquiries into an applicant’s conviction history.
Missouri Bans the Box
May 10, 2016
On April 11, 2016, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed Executive Order 16-04 stating that, “…all departments, agencies and boards and commissions in the Executive Branch subject to the authority of the Governor shall take all necessary action to amend initial employment applications by removing questions related to an individual’s criminal history unless a criminal history would render an applicant ineligible for a position.”
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – What Background Screening Companies Need to Know About the FCRA
May 10, 2016
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued new guidance to Background Screening Companies on what the law requires of them in relation to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Pennsylvania Approves the Use of Medical Marijuana
May 13, 2016
On April 17, 2016, the Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf signed into law Senate Bill 3 approving the use of medical marijuana for 17 qualifying conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc.
Vermont Bans the Box
May 13, 2016
On May 3, 2016, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law House Bill #261 which makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, public or private, to request criminal history information on an employment application.
Los Angeles, CA Ban-the-Box
December 9, 2016
The City of Los Angeles, California recently approved a new Ban-the-Box ordinance. This ordinance is titled the, “Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring,” and was signed into law by Mayor Eric Garcetti on December 9, 2016. The ordinance has an effective date of January 22, 2017 and is designed to prevent private employers (non-government) within the Los Angeles city limits…
Office of Personnel Management, Federal Ban-the-Box
December 12, 2016
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) finalized its version of Ban-the-Box on December 1, 2016, thereby prohibiting federal agencies from inquiring about criminal histories of job applicants until after a conditional offer of employment has been extended to an applicant.
San Antonio, TX Ban-the-Box
December 14, 2016
The City of San Antonio, Texas recently approved a new Ban-the-Box ordinance. This ordinance is titled the, “Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance,” and was signed into law by the San Antonio City Governance Committee on December 7, 2016 and goes into effect immediately.
