Effective Aug. 25, 2020, Suffolk County will begin restricting the use of pre-employment inquiries into an applicant’s criminal conviction history, joining dozens of other states, counties, and municipalities that restrict consideration of an applicant’s criminal history at the initial application phase. Specifically, the law passed by Suffolk County’s Legislature prohibits an employer located within Suffolk County with 15 or more employees from asking questions regarding or pertaining to an applicant’s criminal convictions during any aspect of the application process. Certain exceptions do apply and Suffolk County employers will be permitted to ask applicants about prior criminal convictions where authorized by any applicable law and where certain convictions or violations are a bar to employment in that position under state or federal law.
