This week’s news flash – a quick overview of timely background screening and immigration-related news that is important to your organization.

1. New York City joins Philadelphia and Massachusetts in enacting a measure to prohibit inquiry into and consideration of salary history during the hiring process. The prohibition applies to private employers in New York City and will make use of salary history during the hiring process an unlawful discriminatory practice, with certain exceptions. To read more about the new law click here. New York City based employers need to review their hiring policies and procedures, including having a discussion with their background screening partner regarding their role in verifying salary history. 
2. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights announced that it will conduct a public briefing on May 19, 2017 on “Collateral Consequences: The Crossroads of Punishment, Redemption, and the Effects on Communities” to, among other things, explore the issue of the use of criminal background checks. Panel #3 will likely be most relevant to a discussion on access to employment, background checks and the use of criminal history records. To see the full agenda and list of witnesses click here. 
3. Rumor has it that a new Employment Eligibility Verification form (the “Form I-9”) is forthcoming this summer/fall, notwithstanding that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a revised Form I-9 late last year. The Form I-9 is mandatory for all new hires and documents identity and work authorization. 
4. Montserrat Miller will be presenting a free compliance webinar entitled “Workplace Investigations by the Dept. of Homeland Security – Is Your Restaurant Ready?” on June 5, 2017 at 2:00 pm EST. The webinar is sponsored by the Georgia Restaurant Association.
5. In FTC news, Jessica Rich (former Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection) joins Consumer Reports as Vice President of Consumer Policy and Mobilization. And in other FTC news, Julie Brill (former Commissioner at the FTC) joins Microsoft.