NC H426

Office of State Personnel must adopt rules identifying specific occupational categories where criminal conviction bars state employment and authorize hiring authorities to require disclosure of prior convictions on initial application for those positions.

For all other occupational categories, state hiring authorities cannot inquire about criminal convictions on initial applications and may only consider convictions after an applicant is selected as a finalist for the position.

Office of State Personnel must develop a protocol for state agencies, departments, and institutions to collect and track application and hiring rates of individuals with criminal convictions.

Effective upon passage into law.