Contra Costa County, CA Background Screening Data Supplier

California Ban the Box and Fair Hiring Practices

California’s Ban the Box law (AB 1008) applies to all public and private employers with five or more employees. In Contra Costa County, this law prohibits asking about an applicant’s criminal history on an initial job application. A background check may only be conducted after a conditional job offer is made.

If an employer intends to withdraw the offer based on criminal history, they must:

• Conduct an individualized assessment
• Notify the applicant in writing with a copy of the report
• Allow the applicant to respond before a final decision is made

These fair chance hiring practices are intended to ensure that individuals are not unfairly excluded from employment based solely on past convictions.

Drug Testing and Cannabis Regulations

California permits recreational cannabis use. However, employers in Contra Costa County can still maintain drug-free workplace policies. As of January 1, 2024, employers are prohibited from discriminating against applicants for off-duty cannabis use that does not result in impairment on the job.

Certain exceptions apply, including positions requiring federal clearance or those governed by federal drug testing requirements.

FCRA Compliance in Background Screening

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes key obligations for CRAs and employers using criminal records in employment decisions:

• Clear disclosure and written authorization must be provided before initiating a background check
• Pre-adverse and adverse action notices are required if an employment decision may be affected by the report
• Data must be accurate, up to date, and dispute procedures must be available

Eagle Eye Screening ensures that all Contra Costa County records are retrieved and reported in full compliance with FCRA standards.

California Privacy and Data Protection Requirements

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its successor, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), impose strict data handling and transparency obligations on businesses collecting personal information. For CRAs and employers operating in Contra Costa County, this includes:

• Providing clear privacy notices to applicants
• Allowing individuals to access, correct, or delete their personal data
• Implementing reasonable security measures for data protection

Eagle Eye Screening follows all applicable California privacy laws and maintains robust data security practices to protect applicant and consumer data.