2014

Starting on September 30, 2014, New Hampshire employers will be precluded from requesting or requiring that an employee or prospective employee disclose login information for accessing any personal online account or service. The new law does have several exceptions. Employers may request logins and passwords: (1) for an account or service provided by virtue of the employee's employment relationship with the employer, (2) for an electronic communications device or online account paid for or supplied by the employer, (3) to conduct an investigation, and (4) to otherwise comply with the law.

A Florida law firm filed federal class action lawsuits in the same court against three separate national employers on the same day, with two of them naming the same consumer as the lead plaintiff, alleging violations of the FCRA by failure to obtain a valid background check consent on an online application process. The three complaints brought on behalf of individual plaintiffs as well a class of similarly situated individuals essentially allege the same type of violation�that the employer failed to obtain a valid consent on a standalone form that did not contain extraneous information.

"Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that strengthens the vetting process for volunteer firefighter organizations by requiring applicants to submit to a background check for any prior sex offense convictions. ""Firefighters are often in a position where they serve and protect vulnerable members of their communities - which is why it is imperative that our volunteer firefighter organizations are staffed with highly qualified and dedicated individuals,"" Cuomo said. This legislation will require prospective volunteer firefighters to authorize a background check for sex offense convictions if the individual wishes to proceed with an application. This law passed both houses of the Legislature."