An act relating to employee privacy protections

This Vermont bill (S 90) prohibits most employers from using credit checks, criminal history inquiries, or drug testing for hiring or employment decisions unless the information has a direct relationship to the specific job duties. It exempts certain roles like financial positions, law enforcement, and jobs involving financial fiduciary responsibilities, but requires employers to demonstrate the direct job connection. The bill also bans retaliation against employees who report violations and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance. It directly affects all Vermont employers and job applicants by restricting common pre-employment screenings.