Bill > S991

This bill, titled "Relative to fair hiring practices," aims to prevent discrimination in employment based on a person's unemployment status and to protect individuals' online privacy during the hiring process. Specifically, it amends existing Massachusetts General Laws to prohibit employers and employment agencies from refusing to hire, limiting opportunities, or publishing discriminatory job advertisements based on an applicant's status as unemployed, which is defined as present or past unemployment regardless of duration. However, employers can still consider employment history, factual reasons for unemployment, or if prior similar job experience is a bona fide occupational qualification, and can also advertise vacancies limited to their existing workforce or specify legally permitted qualifications like licenses or experience. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for employers to request or require applicants or employees to disclose usernames, passwords, or other access information for their personal online accounts or services, with exceptions for investigations related to compliance with financial laws, unauthorized downloading of proprietary information, or monitoring of employer-provided electronic equipment.