Mayor Signs District of Columbia Ban on Most Employment Credit Inquiries

On February 15, 2017, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the “Fair Credit in Employment Amendment Act of 2016” (“Act”) (D.C. Act A21-0673) previously passed by the D.C. Council. The Act amends the Human Rights Act of 1977 to add “credit information” as a trait protected from discrimination and makes it a discriminatory practice for most employers to directly or indirectly require, request, suggest, or cause an employee (prospective or current) to submit credit information, or use, accept, refer to, or inquire into an employee’s credit information. As discussed in our earlier advisory, the Act will take effect following a 30-day period of congressional review per the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, and publication in the D.C. Register, and shall apply upon inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. The latter may not occur until this summer