It’s been a busy couple of months for employers, keeping up with the employment-related legislation popping up in Ohio’s state capital of Columbus. First, there was the Employment Law Uniformity Act, then the Pregnancy Reasonable Accommodation Act, next the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Benefits Act, and finally the Medical Marijuana Act. Next on the docket? Legislation to regulate how employers compile and use certain background information in the hiring process. HB 527 will make it illegal for any employer with 15 or more employees to request a job applicant’s date of birth, Social Security Number or driver’s license number prior to making an offer of employment unless it is done to conduct a criminal background check, credit check, driver’s record check, or check of the employer’s own records, and in no case without the applicant’s written consent.
