A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to prohibit a public employer from inquiring into or considering the criminal record of a job applicant until the applicant has been selected for an interview by the employer.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 15A‑153.  Public employment; consideration of criminal history record.
(a)	Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public employer shall not inquire into or consider the criminal record or criminal history of an applicant for public employment until the applicant has been selected for an interview by the employer.
(b)	This section does not apply to the Department of Correction or to public employers who have a statutory duty to conduct a criminal history record check or otherwise take into consideration a potential employee's criminal history during the hiring process.
(c)	This section does not prohibit a public employer from notifying applicants that law or the employer's policy will disqualify an individual with a particular criminal history record from employment in particular positions."  
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2011, and applies to applications for employment submitted on or after that date.