Time Restrictions Imposed on Criminal Records
Part four in our series discusses how some states have imposed limitations on the reporting of criminal records by time. While many states have some type of limitation of this type, a few notable examples are discussed below:
California – A consumer report may not contain criminal information older than seven years.
Hawaii – Employers may not examine criminal convictions past ten years.
Massachusetts – Certain misdemeanors (as detailed in part 1), may not be revealed past five years.
Maine – In most instances, an employer must only consider the prior three years.
Your best bet is to work with a consumer reporting agency or employment screening vendor who can guide you through your states specific laws. One of our advertisers, Backgrounds Online, is highly regarded in the industry for their meticulous attention to detail and depth of knowledge regarding employment laws, which is one of the primary reasons we have offered them advertising space.
