Senate Bill 12-003: Employment Opportunity Act

• Creates the "Employment Opportunity Act" (C.R.S. 8-2-126) to regulate employer use of consumer credit information in employment decisions.

• Prohibits employers from using consumer credit information for employment purposes unless required by a defense or security contract with the federal Department of Defense.

• Requires employers to disclose to employees or applicants when adverse employment action is taken based on consumer credit information and to specify which credit information was relied upon.

• Allows injured persons to bring civil actions for injunctive relief or damages, with courts awarding reasonable costs and attorney fees to prevailing parties.

• Assigns enforcement authority to the Director of the Division of Labor in the Department of Labor and Employment, effective July 1, 2012.