Revision: March 21, 2013, midnight
HB 357 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
20Mar2013… 0932h
2013 SESSION
06/01
HOUSE BILL 357
AN ACT prohibiting an employer from using credit history in employment decisions.
SPONSORS: Rep. Cushing, Rock 21
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
This bill prohibits employers from using credit history in employment decisions.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20Mar2013… 0932h
13-0595
06/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT prohibiting an employer from using credit history in employment decisions.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Employers’ Use of Credit History in Hiring Decisions. Amend RSA 275 by inserting after section 70 the following new subdivision:
275:71 Definitions. In this subdivision:
I. “Credit history” means any written or other communication of any information about the employee’s or prospective employee’s credit score, credit account balances, payment history, savings or checking account balances, or savings or checking account numbers by a consumer reporting agency as defined in RSA 359-B:3, VI.
II. “Employer” means an individual or entity that permits one or more individuals to work or that accepts applications for employment or is an agent of such individual or entity. “Employer” does not, however, include:
(a) Any bank holding company, financial holding company, bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or trust company, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, that is chartered by any state or the United States.
(b) Any state or local government agency which requires use of the employee’s or applicant’s credit history or credit report.
III. “Substantially related to the employee’s current or potential job” means the information contained in the credit history is related to the position for which the employee or prospective employee who is the subject of the report is being evaluated because the position:
(a) Is a managerial position which involves setting the direction or control of a business, division, unit, or agency of a business;
(b) Involves access to customers’, employees’, or the employer’s personal or financial information other than information customarily provided in a retail transaction;
(c) Involves a fiduciary responsibility to the employer, including, but not limited to, the authority to issue payments, collect debts, transfer money, or enter into contracts; or
(d) Provides an expense account or corporate debit or credit card.
275:72 Unlawful Discriminatory Practice. It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any employer, labor organization, or employment agency to use or request information in the credit history of a job applicant or employee in connection with or as a criterion for employment decisions related to hiring, termination, promotion, demotion, discipline, compensation, or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment unless the employer is required by state or federal law to use individual credit history for employment purposes, or the employer has a bona fide purpose for requesting or using information in the credit history report that is substantially related to the employee’s current or potential job and the employer complies with the notice and consent requirements of the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. section 1681 et seq.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.