Florida Senate - 2015 SB 214 By Senator Clemens 27-00304-15 2015214__ 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to discrimination in employment 3 screening; creating s. 760.105, F.S.; prohibiting an 4 employer from inquiring into or considering an 5 applicant’s criminal history on an initial employment 6 application unless required to do so by law; providing 7 an effective date. 8 9 WHEREAS, reducing barriers to employment for people who 10 have a criminal history and lowering unemployment rates in 11 communities that have concentrated numbers of people who have a 12 criminal history are issues of statewide concern, and 13 WHEREAS, restricting an employer from inquiring into or 14 considering an applicant’s criminal history on an initial 15 employment application increases employment opportunities for 16 those who have a criminal history, thereby reducing the rate of 17 recidivism and improving economic stability, NOW, THEREFORE, 18 19 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 20 21 Section 1. Section 760.105, Florida Statutes, is created to 22 read: 23 760.105 Unlawful employment screening.—Unless otherwise 24 required by law, an employer may not inquire into or consider an 25 applicant’s criminal history on an initial employment 26 application. An employer may inquire into or consider an 27 applicant’s criminal history only after the applicant’s 28 qualifications have been screened and the employer has 29 determined that the applicant meets the minimum employment 30 requirements specified for a given position. 31 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.