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
- Texas Cannabis Laws Changed — But Employer THC Drug Testing Has Not
- The Delta-8 Dilemma- What Mississippi Employers (and Maybe Those in Other States) Need to Know About Drug Testing Policies and THC Products
- Federally Funded Study Reveals Marijuana Breathalyzer Breakthrough With 3D Printed Roadside Tool Able to Detect THC
- US FAA Proposes Fining American, Southwest Over Alleged Drug, Alcohol Violations
- Americans Support Legalizing Marijuana Home Cultivation Amid Concerns About Pesticide-Tainted Products, Poll Shows
Categories
- Artificial Intelligence Fraud (9)
- Background Check Compliance (112)
- Background Check Laws (73)
- Background Screening (60)
- Biometric Identification (11)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2)
- Credit Checks (33)
- Criminal History Check (198)
- Data Protection & Privacy (143)
- E-Verify Issues (87)
- Education Verification (10)
- Educational and Childcare Hiring (29)
- EEOC (53)
- Employer Negligence (37)
- Employment Screening (147)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (113)
- 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 (105)
- IT and Data Security Hiring (12)
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Industry Hiring (17)
- Occupational Fraud (30)
- Pre-employment Drug Testing (209)
- Public Safety Hiring (1)
- Retail Hiring (14)
- Security Services Hiring (3)
- Social Media (32)
- Transportation Industry Hiring (25)
- Uncategorized (1)
- Wage History Checks (4)

