Oregon Public Broadcasting

Most employers would no longer be able to check the credit history of potential employees under a bill being considered in the Oregon Legislature.

A Senate panel heard arguments on the measure Wednesday. Chris Lehman reports.

Credit agencies say employers need to know the credit history of job applicants in order to cut down on employee theft.

But a representative of the credit agency TransUnion conceded during a hearing last month that there is no evidence to show that people with bad credit are more likely to commit fraud.

Democratic Senator Diane Rosenbaum says allowing employers to reject people for having bad credit is unfair.

Diane Rosenbaum: "With people out of work for over a year or more, and very few jobs to apply for, it is an unnecessary hurdle for peopleís personal credit history to be used as an obstacle to finding employment."

The bill contains exceptions for banks, credit unions, and public safety agencies. Washington is one of two other states with a similar law on the books.

Online:

Senate Bill 1045