January 29, 2010

The Honorable Thomas M. Middleton

Finance Committee

3 East, Miller Senate Building

Annapolis, MD 21401

Re: SB110 - Labor and Employment - Job and Financial Privacy Protection Act - Oppose

Dear Senator Middleton:

SB110 would prohibit an employer from requesting a credit report from an applicant for employment or an employee unless the request has a bona fide work-related purpose or the employer is required to request the credit report under federal or State law. In addition it would require the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to adopt regulations specifying what a bona fide work-related purpose is; and authorize specified civil actions under specified circumstances.

The Legislative Committee of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill. This matter is already legislated and regulated at the federal and state levels to provide protections for individuals before and after they may be denied employment based on a credit report. Furthermore, in a competitive labor market employers need the flexibility to use a variety of factors to determine who the best candidate for a position is.  

We therefore ask that your committee give this bill a negative report. 

Sincerely,

Richard Haddad

President