DOVER, Del. (AP) - Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would restrict the authority of state and local government agencies to conduct criminal background checks on potential new hires.
The bill introduced last week would prohibit public employers in Delaware from considering the criminal history or credit history of an applicant before making a conditional job offer.
Criminal background checks conducted after a conditional employment offer has been made would be limited to felony convictions for 10 years from the completion of sentence, and misdemeanors for 5 years from the completion of sentence.
The bill includes certain exceptions for police departments, the Department of Correction and other positions with mandated background checks.
The bill also requires contractors with state agencies to employ similar policies.
