June 7, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Miller, Kathleen Law, Vagnozzi, Polidori, Meisner, Alma Smith, Hammel and Hammon and referred to the Committee on Labor.
A bill to prohibit employers from making certain recruiting or
hiring decisions based upon an individual's credit history; to
prohibit employers from making certain inquiries; to prohibit
certain waivers; to prohibit retaliation; and to provide remedies.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "job
applicant credit privacy act".
Sec. 3. As used in this act:
(a) "Credit history" means information that is generally used
in evaluating an individual's creditworthiness, credit standing, or
credit capacity, such as a debt payment record or a credit score
compiled by a consumer credit agency.
(b) "Employer" means an individual or entity, or the agent of
an individual or entity, that permits 1 or more individuals to work
or accepts applications for employment.
Sec. 5. (1) Except as provided in this section, an employer
shall not do either of the following:
(a) Fail or refuse to hire or to recruit an individual for
employment because of the individual's credit history.
(b) Inquire about a job applicant's or potential job
applicant's credit history.
(2) The prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply to
prevent an inquiry or employment action if a good credit history is
an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular
position or employment classification.
Sec. 7. A person shall not retaliate or discriminate against
an individual because the individual has done or was about to do
any of the following:
(a) File a complaint under this act.
(b) Testify, assist, or participate in an investigation,
proceeding, or action concerning a violation of this act.
(c) Oppose a violation of this act.
Sec. 9. An employer shall not require an individual to waive
or limit any protection granted under this act as a condition of
applying for or receiving an offer of employment. An agreement to
waive any right or protection under this act is contrary to public
policy and is void and unenforceable.
Sec. 11. (1) An individual who is injured by a violation of
this act may bring a civil suit to obtain damages or injunctive
relief, or both.
(2) The court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees
to an individual who prevails as a plaintiff in a suit authorized
under this section.