MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Labor

By: Representative Fleming

House Bill 209

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM ASKING APPLICANTS ON EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS WHETHER OR NOT SUCH APPLICANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY; TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS OF APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  No employer doing business in the State of Mississippi may ask on an employment application whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a felony.  However, nothing in this act shall be construed as prohibiting an employer from conducting a criminal background check on such applicant, and nothing in this act shall be construed as forcing an employer to hire a convicted felon.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.