IL HB1938

Creates the Small Business Second Chance Employment Act to provide civil liability protections for small businesses that employ qualified ex-offenders.

Defines "second chance ex-offender" as a person whose criminal sentence ended more than 10 years prior, who has never been convicted of a Class X or Class 1 felony, who is not a habitual criminal, and who obtained a court certificate confirming satisfactory completion of probation, parole, or release.

Defines "small business" as any independently owned for-profit entity grossing less than $4,000,000 per year or having 50 or fewer full-time employees.

Grants civil immunity to small businesses that in good faith employ a second chance ex-offender, protecting them from liability for the employee's criminal conduct during working hours, except in cases of willful and wanton misconduct by the employer.

Requires the ex-offender's conviction record to be disclosed to the employer prior to hiring and mandates the ex-offender obtain a court certificate before employment.