Public contracts: bidders: employment practices.

The State Contract Act generally sets forth the authority and duties of a state agency for bidding and awarding public works contracts. Existing law also sets forth requirements for the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, and services, and the acquisition of information technology goods and services by state agencies. This bill would prohibit the state from contracting with a person or entity that asks an applicant for employment who will assist the person or entity in fulfilling the contract with the state to disclose information concerning the conviction history of the applicant, unless the employer has determined that the applicant meets the minimum employment qualifications as stated in any notice issued for the position. The bill would not apply to a position for which an employer is otherwise required by state or federal law to conduct a conviction or criminal history background check or to any contract position with a criminal justice agency, as specified.