CONSUMER REPORTING

The California Privacy Rights Act
The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), a ballot initiative approved by California voters, amends the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to create additional consumer rights and create a new category of consumer personal information. Never before has a state gone so far to protect consumer data privacy. Before the CPRA takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023, we expect to see another lengthy process of proposing, commenting on, and finalizing CPRA regulations, which the CPRA requires to be promulgated by July 1, 2022. Here’s a closer look.
READ MORE

I-9 AND E-VERIFY

Further Extension: Form I-9 Requirements in response to COVID-19
The in-person requirement for the Form I-9 is temporarily suspended if your company is closed or taking other precautions due to COVID-19. The general rule is that an employer must undertake a physical inspection of the document(s) presented by the employee for section 2 purposes.

UPDATE: Because of ongoing COVID-19 precautions, remote I-9 document review has been extended; the expiration date for these accommodations is now December 31, 2020.

The government has suspended the in-person and physical inspection of the document(s) presented by the employee when completing the Form I-9. During this time, an employer can view the document(s) presented by the employee via Zoom or Skype, for example.
READ MORE

Recent E-Verify Requirement Update
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new timing requirement for employers that receive a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) during the E-Verify case creation process. E-Verify now requires enrolled employers to take action on Tentative Nonconfirmations (TNC) for their employees within 10 federal government working days or risk potential compliance actions, up to and including termination of their E-Verify account.
READ MORE

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING

New York
In news we’re watching: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said legalizing marijuana could represent a key opportunity for the state to recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic. Cannabis has been decriminalized in New York since 2019, but recreational marijuana remains illegal in the state. The hope is to have something introduced to address this in early 2021.
READ MORE

Ballot Measures Passed in November
Cannabis legalization was on many state ballots in November, and of the states that voted on cannabis, all approved legal recreational marijuana for adults age 21 and older. New Jersey and Montana approved recreational cannabis, Mississippi approved medical use, while South Dakota approved both recreational and medical use at one time.
READ MORE

Oregon
In yet more recent ballot news, Oregon has become the first state to decriminalize personal possession of small amount of illegal hard drugs, including cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, and methamphetamine. The ballot measure reclassified possession of small amounts of a list of hard drugs as a Class E civil violation, similar to a traffic offense.
READ MORE

AS A REMINDER: At A-Check, we’re happy to help implement a drug screening program that meets your evolving needs—or make adjustments to the program you’re already running with us. Just give us a call at 877-345-2021 and ask to speak with someone on your Client Relations team.

BAN THE BOX

Montgomery County, Maryland
The Montgomery County, Maryland Council approved amendments to its 2014 Ban the Box legislation. Original legislation prohibited employers with 15 or more full-time employees in Montgomery County from conducting a criminal background check of a job applicant, or otherwise inquiring about the criminal or arrest history of an applicant, prior to the completion of a first interview. Bill 35-20 expands previous legislation by prohibiting background checks until after extending a conditional job offer, and redefining “employer” to include any employer with one or more full-time employees in Montgomery County.
READ MORE

COVID-19

Return-to-Office COVID-19 Testing Services for Your Workforce
Depending on your company’s policy, requiring employees to test negative for COVID-19 prior to an office return may be a viable complement to office cleaning and sanitation practices you may already have in place. We want to quickly let you know that A-Check is here to help by providing solutions to meet your immediate needs. Testing and surveillance services through A-Check’s partner network of Concentra Medical Centers can help as your employees return to the office.
READ MORE

Questions? We’re here to help!