Site Map - Legislation

06/30/2010 - A bill (H.B. 4658) pending in the Illinois legislature would prohibit companies from conducting credit checks on prospective employees. Under the bill, it would be illegal for companies to use credit checks to make decisions on hiring, recruiting, discharge, or compensation. Exceptions would be made for financial institutions, public safety agencies, or any other government agencies that require credit checks as a matter of law.

06/30/2010 - A bill (H.R. 4992) introduced by Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) is designed to protect individual first responders from litigation costs arising from unintended consequences. Under the bill, the employers of first responders would be required to pay for any liability, including litigation costs related to claims of liability, that first responders incur in the course of their official duties. Exceptions would be made in the case of intentional wrongdoing or activities undertaken in bad faith.

06/28/2010 - Rulings on employment issues and privacy, plus legislation on first responders and fire safety.

06/01/2010 - A new bill introduced in Congress would make it easier for the federal government to prosecute identity theft cases.

06/01/2010 - A amendment to the 2011 defense department authorization bill would prohibit the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.

05/28/2010 - A new law (formerly S.B. 1045) recently enacted in Oregon will prohibit most employers from conducting a credit check on current or prospective employees. The law exempts some types of employees—such as those who work at federally insured banks and credit unions, law enforcement personnel, airport security, and any other employees who must undergo a credit check as a matter of law. The law also allows an employer to conduct a credit check if it is “substantially job-related.” To exercise this exemption, employers must disclose the reasons for the check to the employee in writing. The law will not affect the use of other types of background checks.

05/28/2010 - A new Oklahoma law (formerly H.B. 1025) makes it illegal for employers to ask employees about their ownership of firearms. Under the law, private employees would be barred from asking applicants whether they own or possess a firearm. Violation of the law is punishable by a $1,000 fine.

05/28/2010 - A bill (S. 773) that would establish a high-level cybersecurity office in the government and encourage public-private partnerships to improve cybersecurity has been approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The bill must now be considered by the full Senate.

05/28/2010 - According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, 16 workers die, on average, every day on U.S. worksites, and more than four million workers suffer workplace injuries every year. To address the topic of how workplace safety laws can be improved, lawmakers on the House Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on H.R. 2067 (.pdf), which would amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) by increasing penalties for violators and boosting protections for whistleblowers.

04/30/2010 - A new Indiana law (formerly H.B. 1065) signed by Governor Mitch Daniels makes it illegal for a company to prohibit employees from keeping firearms locked in their cars on company property. The bill would also apply to contract employees. Exemptions are provided for schools, penal institutions, childcare facilities, and domestic violence shelters. Companies that violate the law could face liability in a civil court. However, the bill stipulates that, if employers comply with the law, they cannot be held liable for injuries or damage resulting from the policy.  

04/30/2010 - New Hampshire legislators have defeated a bill (H.B. 1409) that would make it illegal for government agencies or private businesses in the state to issue cards, other than employee IDs, containing biometrics. The bill would prohibit the use of fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, handwriting, voice data, keystroke analysis, hand geometry, and iris and retinal scans. The bill would also make it illegal for state government or businesses to request biometric data from employees, patrons, or contractors. (For fuller coverage of the bill's defeat, read "Biometrics Defeated by New Hampshire Legislature.")

04/30/2010 - A bill (S. 1755) that would require the Department of Homeland Security to study the use of amateur radio operations during emergencies has been approved by the Senate and is now pending in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

04/30/2010 - A bill (H.R. 3360) that would enhance security aboard cruise ships has been approved by the House of Representatives. The Senate has announced that it will consider the measure.