House Bill 1217 Summary

• Prohibits public employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until the applicant has signed a release waiver, is being considered for a specific position, and has received an interview.

• Requires public employers to consider five criteria before denying employment based on criminal history: nature and gravity of offense, time elapsed since offense, applicant's age at time of offense, relationship of offense to job duties, and evidence of rehabilitation.

• Prevents disqualification based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction.

• Requires public employers to notify applicants of adverse employment decisions based on background checks and provide opportunity to dispute inaccurate information.

• Exempts positions requiring criminal background checks by state or federal law, including jobs involving direct interaction with minors or elderly persons, and does not apply to private employers.

• Designates the circuit court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County as the jurisdiction for complaints alleging violations; effective July 1, 2021.