(a) Subject to subsection (b), an employer may inquire about and
consider an individual's criminal conviction record concerning hiring,
termination, or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; provided
that the conviction record bears a rational relationship to the duties and
responsibilities of the position.
(b) Inquiry into and consideration of conviction records for
prospective employees shall take place only after the prospective employee has
received a conditional offer of employment which may be withdrawn if the
prospective employee has a conviction record that bears a rational relationship
to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
(c) For purposes of this section, "conviction" means an
adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction that the defendant committed a
crime, not including final judgments required to be confidential pursuant to
section 571-84; provided that the employer may consider the employee's
conviction record falling within a period that shall not exceed the most recent
ten years, excluding periods of incarceration. If the employee or prospective
employee claims that the period of incarceration was less than what is shown on
the employee's or prospective employee's conviction record, an employer shall
provide the employee or prospective employee with an opportunity to present
documentary evidence of a date of release to establish a period of incarceration
that is shorter than the sentence imposed for the employee's or prospective
employee's conviction.
(d) Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), the requirement
that inquiry into and consideration of a prospective employee's conviction
record may take place only after the individual has received a conditional job
offer, and the limitation to the most recent ten-year period, excluding the
period of incarceration, shall not apply to employers who are expressly
permitted to inquire into an individual's criminal history for employment
purposes pursuant to any federal or state law other than subsection (a),
including:
(1) The State or any of its branches, political subdivisions, or
agencies pursuant to section 831-3.1 and section 78-2.7;
(2) The department of education pursuant to section 302A-601.5;
(3) The department of health with respect to employees,
providers, or subcontractors in positions that place them in direct contact with
clients when providing non-witnessed direct mental health services pursuant to
section 321-171.5;
(4) The judiciary pursuant to section 571-34;
(5) The counties pursuant to section 846-2.7;
(6) Armed security services pursuant to section 261-17(b);
(7) Providers of a developmental disabilities domiciliary home
pursuant to section 333F-22;
(8) Private schools pursuant to section 378-3(8) and section
302C-1;
(9) Financial institutions in which deposits are insured by a
federal agency having jurisdiction over the financial institution pursuant to
section 378-3(9);
(10) Detective agencies and security guard agencies pursuant to
sections 463-6(b) and 463- 8(b);
(11) Employers in the business of insurance pursuant to section
431:2-201.3;
(12) Employers of individuals or supervisors of individuals
responsible for screening passengers or property under 49 U.S.C. § 44901 or
individuals with unescorted access to an aircraft of an air carrier or foreign
carrier or in a secured area of an airport in the United States pursuant to 49
U.S.C. § 44936(a);
(13) The department of human services pursuant to section
352-5.5;
(14) The public library system pursuant to section 302A-601.5;
(15) The department of public safety pursuant to section 353C-5;
(16) The board of directors of a cooperative housing corporation
or the manager of a cooperative housing project pursuant to section 421I-12; and
(17) [CONTINGENTLY EFFECTIVE UNTIL JULY 1, 2005.] The board of
directors of an association of apartment owners, or the manager of a condominium
project pursuant to section 514A-82.1.
(17) [CONTINGENTLY EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005.] The board of
directors of an association of apartment owners, or the manager of a condominium
project pursuant to section -133.