ID S1318

Creates the "Fair Chance Employment Act" as a new chapter in Idaho Code to encourage workforce participation by persons with criminal histories and reduce recidivism.

Applies to employers with more than 5 employees and employment agencies, prohibiting them from posting job language excluding applicants with criminal convictions or asking about convictions on job applications.

Restricts criminal background inquiries until after an applicant is deemed qualified for a position and selected for an interview, or after a conditional employment offer is made.

Allows employers to consider criminal conviction records when making final hiring decisions, subject to the timing restrictions in the act.

Exempts law enforcement agencies, criminal justice system employers, employers subject to federal or state law requiring criminal history consideration, and employers seeking nonemployee volunteers.