A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit clarified Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). The court held that employers cannot lawfully use criminal history information voluntarily disclosed by job applicants when making hiring decisions unless the conviction relates to job suitability under CHRIA. Information volunteered by applicants is treated the same as information obtained from background checks, and employers must notify applicants if criminal history played a role in hiring decisions.
Hiring Tips Blog

Pennsylvania Employers Can’t Use Criminal History Information Volunteered by Job Applicants in Making Hiring Decisions, According to Recent Third Circuit Decision
May 1, 2026 | Criminal History Check
Recent Posts
- Checkr IDV Launches with Socure Biometrics to Counter Hiring Fraud
- What Will Marijuana’s Impending Reclassification to a Schedule III Drug Mean for Oklahoma Employers?
- Use of Medical Marijuana or Hemp Doesn’t Excuse Drug Testing Violations, Trump’s Transportation Department Warns
- Top Issues in the Cannabis Industry for 2026
- Companies Work to Navigate Operational, Legal Challenges Associated with AI In HR Systems
Categories
- Artificial Intelligence Fraud (8)
- Background Check Compliance (110)
- Background Check Laws (70)
- Background Screening (58)
- Biometric Identification (11)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2)
- Credit Checks (33)
- Criminal History Check (197)
- Data Protection & Privacy (135)
- E-Verify Issues (86)
- Education Verification (9)
- Educational and Childcare Hiring (28)
- EEOC (53)
- Employer Negligence (37)
- Employment Screening (147)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (112)
- Featured Posts (1)
- Financial Services Hiring (12)
- Healthcare Hiring (13)
- Hiring Legal Compliance (3)
- Home Services and Repairs Hiring (6)
- Human Resources & Benefits (26)
- Immigration Issues (101)
- IT and Data Security Hiring (12)
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Industry Hiring (17)
- Occupational Fraud (29)
- Pre-employment Drug Testing (204)
- Public Safety Hiring (1)
- Retail Hiring (14)
- Security Services Hiring (3)
- Social Media (32)
- Transportation Industry Hiring (24)
- Uncategorized (1)
- Wage History Checks (4)

