Message from the Editor

Welcome to another edition of Inside Background Screening, our new newsletter. Our goal is to bring to you cutting-edge news and information about what is happening in the background screening world to help keep you informed and to position you to make the best possible hiring decisions.

We hope you enjoy Inside Background Screening and that you will share your interest and thoughts with us.

Lorenzo
Lorenzo Pugliano
CEO
Lpugliano@nsshire.com

Liar, Liar – You Want to Be Hired?

Lying on résumés or job applications remains widespread, with over half of Americans admitting to doing so. Common deceptions include falsifying education, experience or employment dates. Consequences range from losing job offers and reputational harm to fraud charges or loss of professional licenses. Employers are urged to implement robust screening—verifying education, experience, and references—and to include honesty clauses in employment contracts. Thorough vetting protects organizations from legal, financial, and ethical risks linked to dishonest candidates.
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Revisiting the Unintended Consequences of Ban the Box

Reexamining Ban-the-Box (BTB) policies shows their effects on minority men’s employment are less clear than previously reported. Correcting coding errors in prior research reveals that estimates differ by dataset: the Current Population Survey (CPS) suggests negative effects, while the larger American Community Survey (ACS) shows no significant impact. Differences stem from sample size and statistical power rather than population composition. Overall, evidence indicates BTB has limited, uncertain effects, challenging claims of widespread unintended consequences for minority jobseekers.
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City Council Approves Additional Hiring Protections for Jobseekers with Criminal Records

Philadelphia has strengthened its Fair Chance Hiring Law, giving thousands of jobseekers with criminal records greater protections. Employers can no longer reject candidates based on self-conducted criminal history searches or third-party reports unless the conviction directly risks the job. Misdemeanors may now be considered after four years, down from seven, while felonies remain at seven. Rejections require written explanations, and applicants can provide evidence of rehabilitation, ensuring past convictions don’t unduly block employment opportunities.
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Elizabeth Warren Introduces Bill to Ban Employers from Running Credit Reports in Hiring

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Representative Steve Cohen reintroduced a bill to ban employers from using credit checks in hiring decisions, arguing the practice is unfair, discriminatory, and unrelated to job performance. The proposal would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit employers from requesting or using applicants’ credit information and block agencies from sharing such reports. Advocates say credit-based hiring disproportionately harms minorities and women. Several states and cities already restrict or ban the practice.
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Don’t Get Caught Off Guard: New Florida Law Mandates Background Screening for Nearly All Healthcare Practitioners

Effective July 1, 2025, Florida’s House Bill 975 will require nearly all healthcare professionals to complete Level 2 fingerprint-based background screenings for both new licenses and renewals. The law expands disqualifying criminal offenses and makes timely screening a condition of licensure, with noncompliance leading to expired licenses and disciplinary action. Healthcare organizations must ensure staff compliance to avoid liability, credentialing loss, and reputational harm, as the reform aims to strengthen patient safety and accountability statewide.
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California Civil Rights Department (CRD) Ramps Up Enforcement of the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA)

The California Fair Chance Act (CFCA) limits how employers can use criminal records in hiring, banning pre-offer inquiries and restricting consideration of arrests, sealed, or expunged convictions. Post-offer, employers must conduct individualized assessments, provide written notices, and allow applicant responses before rescinding offers. The California Civil Rights Department enforces strict compliance and interprets the law broadly, leading to increased charges and lawsuits. Employers are advised to review policies, documents, and train staff to ensure full CFCA compliance.
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Bipartisan Momentum Is Growing for Automatic Record Sealing Through the Clean Slate and Fresh Start Acts

Nearly one-third of U.S. adults have a criminal record, which often blocks access to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities even after sentences are served. The Clean Slate Act of 2025 proposes automatic sealing of eligible federal records, while the Fresh Start Act supports state-level programs. These measures aim to boost economic mobility, expand the labor pool, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities. Bipartisan support underscores their potential to promote fairness, public safety, and social inclusion nationwide.
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CT Suspends Nurse, the 74th Disciplined in State Tied to Fake College Degree Scam at Florida Schools

Connecticut suspended nurse Olga Rene’s license after discovering she obtained a fraudulent nursing degree from a Florida school implicated in the federal “Operation Nightingale” probe. The investigation exposed thousands of fake nursing degrees issued without required training. Rene is among 172 Connecticut nurses under review, with 74 licenses already revoked or surrendered. She must prove her credentials’ legitimacy at a future hearing. Operation Nightingale has led to multiple indictments and convictions for large-scale nursing education fraud.
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CT Nurse in Fake College Degree Scandal Linked to Prison Inmate’s Overdose Death, Lawsuit Says

Tyler Cole, a 32-year-old inmate, died of a methadone overdose at Connecticut’s Garner Correctional Institution, prompting a lawsuit alleging negligent medical care. One nurse involved, Isaac Folorunsho, held a fraudulent nursing degree from a Florida school under federal indictment. Lawmakers, including Sen. Saud Anwar, criticized the Department of Correction’s oversight and called for health services to shift to the Department of Public Health. Cole’s death highlights systemic failures, staff shortages, and poor inmate healthcare management within the DOC.
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Colorado Shuts Down Lawyer Who Lied About Credentials, Created Fake Employee

Shineth Gonzales, who falsely claimed a Harvard law degree and misrepresented herself as an attorney, agreed to close her two Colorado businesses and never work in immigration services again. She overcharged clients, created a fake employee, and provided unqualified legal advice, harming clients’ immigration cases. Gonzales must stop using the title “Dr. Gonzales,” refer remaining clients to licensed attorneys, and pay a $12,000 fine, increasing to $50,000 for noncompliance, highlighting protections against immigrant fraud.
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Alertness and Impairment: New Study Reveals Impact of Fatigue, Alcohol and Cannabis

Washington State University researchers, with Pulsar Informatics and the National Safety Council, conducted a pilot study examining how fatigue, alcohol, and cannabis affect alertness. Six male participants completed reaction time and driving tasks during extended wakefulness. Results showed sleep deprivation worsened attention and driving performance, while alcohol further slowed reactions and increased lapses. Cannabis increased lane deviation but not reaction time. Findings highlight how alcohol may amplify fatigue-related impairment in safety-sensitive work environments.
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$2.4M PeopleFacts Settlement Ends Lawsuit Over Alleged Employment Background Check Violations

PeopleFacts will pay $2.4 million to settle a class action alleging it failed to provide timely notice to consumers when reporting potentially negative employment data. The settlement covers 21,047 U.S. individuals affected between November 2021 and June 2025, with estimated payouts of $85 each. The company will review and update its procedures to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Payments will be mailed automatically after final court approval, scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025.
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Personal Data, Including Social Security Numbers, of 3 Million Exposed After Hackers Hit Top US Screening Company

Over 3.3 million people had sensitive personal data exposed in a cyberattack on DISA Global Solutions, a major US employee screening company. The breach, occurring Feb. 9, 2024, went undetected until April 22, and may have exposed Social Security numbers, financial account details, and government IDs. DISA provides background checks and drug testing for tens of thousands of companies, including a third of Fortune 500 firms. The attacker’s identity and method remain unknown.
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Wyoming Legislative Committee Advances Government Data Privacy Bill

Wyoming’s legislature advanced a bill requiring government entities to obtain consent before buying, selling, or sharing personal data. It mandates data retention policies, limits storage to three years unless justified, and prioritizes individual privacy while exempting public records. Lawmakers addressed concerns about administrative costs, voter data, and exclusions for businesses. Amendments clarified applicability to current/former residents and authorized representatives. The bill aims to increase transparency in government data use and will move forward as a committee-sponsored measure in 2026.
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With SB 53, California Puts AI Disclosure Requirements on the Map

California’s SB 53 requires large AI developers (≥$500M revenue) to publicly disclose safety frameworks, report critical risks, and protect whistleblowers. The law establishes a reporting system for safety incidents, penalties up to $1 million, and a government consortium to study ethical AI. Aimed at building trust, accountability, and transparency, it reflects California’s role as a tech policy leader. Supporters see it as a blueprint for U.S. AI safety regulation, while some industry groups warn it may constrain innovation.
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Nation’s Largest Rural Lifestyle Retailer to Pay $1.35M Over CCPA Violations

The California Privacy Protection Agency fined Tractor Supply Company $1.35 million—the largest in its history—for violating the California Consumer Privacy Act. The company failed to notify consumers and job applicants of their privacy rights, provide opt-out options, and secure proper data-sharing contracts. Tractor Supply must overhaul its privacy practices and certify compliance for four years. The decision highlights stronger privacy protections for job applicants and ongoing statewide enforcement of California’s data privacy laws across industries.
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How New Rhode Island Privacy Law May Impact Businesses Across U.S.

Rhode Island’s Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (RIDTPPA) takes effect January 1, 2026, imposing strict data privacy requirements and fines up to $10,000 per violation with no cure period. It applies to most for-profit businesses handling Rhode Islanders’ data, granting residents rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data use. Businesses must update privacy notices, secure data, obtain consent for sensitive data, and implement compliance workflows and vendor controls before the deadline.
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Massachusetts Senate Backs Data Privacy Bill Giving Consumers More Control of Their Data

The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act (S.2619), granting residents extensive control over personal data collection, use, and sale. The bill limits data gathering to what is necessary, bans the sale of sensitive data, and requires affirmative consent for sharing it. Consumers gain rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data sales. Enforced by the Attorney General, the law could take effect in 2027 pending House and gubernatorial approval.
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E-Verify Users Must Restart Using E-Verify and Quickly Catch Up on Pre-Shutdown Cases

E-Verify, a federal system for verifying employee work authorization, was unavailable during the Oct. 1 government shutdown but resumed operations on Oct. 9. Employers must now create cases for hires during the outage, using the I-9 hire date and noting “E Verify not Available” if delayed. Tentative Non-confirmations require updated referral dates, and federal contractor deadlines exclude the shutdown period. Compliance is crucial, as the administration has prioritized I-9 and E-Verify enforcement with penalties for violations.
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Disclaimer: All information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide professional or legal advice regarding actions to take in any situation. Nationwide Screening Services makes no representations for any products or services that are mentioned and accepts no responsibility for any actions or consequences taken without the guidance of a licensed attorney or professional consultant.

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