Ohio Law Reforms Collateral Sanctions and Offers Protections for Employers Hiring Job Applicants with Criminal Records

The State of Ohio has passed new laws that will offer protections for employers hiring job applicants with criminal records.  The law, Senate Bill 337, which takes effect September 28, 2012, is an extensive reform of the collateral sanctions that impose employment restrictions and limitations on over 2 million Ohioans with misdemeanor and felony convictions. With SB 337, Ohio joins states such as Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina in offering protections for employers that hire and employ rehabilitated ex-offenders from tort liability for negligent hiring and retention claims. The text of Senate Bill 337 is available at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_337. The law includes a provision for the sealing of one felony and one misdemeanor conviction, or two misdemeanor convictions.  It also provides for the creation of a Certificate of Qualification for Employment that lifts automatic disqualification for certain state-issued occupational licenses and provides some protection for employers from negligent hiring lawsuits. By giving employers some degree of protection, the new law aims at putting ex-offenders back to work.  According to one of the bill’s authors, State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland), quoted in a news article from the Call & Post: “I have long advocated for expanding Ohio’s record sealing laws, and for giving ex-offenders a second chance when finding employment. Senate Bill 337 accomplishes these goals and creates a dimension of redemption in Ohio to complement our justice system. It will benefit thousands of rehabilitated citizens who have paid their dues to society and want to move on with their lives. This legislation eliminates barriers to employment and it reminds society that ex-offenders have a place among us.” Smith also stated: “I have no doubt that people across the state will come to realize that ex-offenders want financial stability, employment, opportunity, a secure home, and the ability to support their loved ones. This legislation is another step in the right direction, and I hope that Ohio’s business leaders and policymakers can continue this momentum.” The Call & Post article is available at: http://www.callandpost.com/index.php/news/politics/2401-kasich-signs-legislation-to-reform-collateral-sanctions. For more information about legal updates regarding background checks, visit the ESR News blog at https://www.esrcheck.com/wordpress. For more information about background checks, visit Employment Screening Resources (ESR) – ‘The Background Check Authority’ and a nationwide background screening firm accredited by The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) – at https://www.esrcheck.com/, call 415.898.0044, or email [email protected]. Sources: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_337 http://www.callandpost.com/index.php/news/politics/2401-kasich-signs-legislation-to-reform-collateral-sanctions About Employment Screening Resources (ESR): Employment Screening Resources (ESR) – ‘The Background Check Authority^SM’– provides accurate and actionable information, empowering employers to make informed safe hiring decisions for the benefit for our clients, their employees, and the public. ESR literally wrote the book on background screening with “The Safe Hiring Manual” by Founder and CEO Lester Rosen. ESR is accredited by The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), a distinction held by a small percentage of screening firms. By choosing an accredited screening firm like ESR, employers know they have selected an agency that meets the highest industry standards. For more information about Employment Screening Resources (ESR), visit https://www.esrcheck.com/, call 415.898.0044 or 888.999.4474 (Toll Free), or email [email protected]. About ESR News: The Employment Screening Resources (ESR) News blog – ESR News – provides employment screening information for employers, recruiters, and jobseekers on a variety of topics including credit reports, criminal records, data privacy, discrimination, E-Verify, jobs reports, legal updates, negligent hiring, workplace violence, and use of search engines and social network sites for background checks. For more information about ESR News or to send comments or questions, please email ESR News Editor Thomas Ahearn at [email protected].]]>