If enacted, SB1360 would amend chapter 537 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to limit conditions under which employers can be deemed liable for hiring individuals previously convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual offenses. Specifically, the bill states that such convictions would be inadmissible as evidence in most negligent hiring cases, thereby providing a safer legal environment for employers when making hiring decisions involving ex-offenders. However, it still holds employers accountable in specific situations where their knowledge of an employee's conviction is significantly tied to negligent actions.
Summary
Senate Bill 1360, known as the Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act, seeks to introduce protections for employers hiring individuals with certain past convictions. The bill primarily aims to shield employers, general contractors, and premises owners from liability when they hire employees or independent contractors who have criminal convictions, except for serious offenses as outlined in the bill. This legislative move reflects a growing recognition of the challenges faced by ex-offenders in securing employment and aims to encourage their reintegration into the workforce by reducing the stigma associated with hiring them.
Contention
The introduction of SB1360 has sparked discussions surrounding the balance between protecting employers from litigation related to hiring practices and ensuring that individuals with past convictions still face fair assessments when applying for jobs. Advocates for the bill argue that it is essential for aiding the reintegration of ex-offenders by encouraging employers to overlook their criminal pasts when hiring. However, opponents may raise concerns about the potential risks that may arise from hiring individuals with potentially serious and relevant past offenses in sensitive roles, thus framing the necessity for a careful evaluation of the offenses that merit exemption from the bill's liability protections.
Establishes the Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act, which provides liability protections for employers hiring those convicted of certain offenses
Lowers from 19 to 18 the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry permit, and makes a corresponding change to the offense of unlawful use of weapons
Establishes the Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act, which provides liability protections for employers hiring those convicted of certain offenses