CREDIT REPORTS & WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENTS NEW LEGISLATION:

On April 18, 2007, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law a bill prohibiting employers from accessing a consumer report on an employee’s or applicant’s credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity for employment purposes unless such information is substantially related to the individual’s current or potential job or required by law. An employer also must provide to the employee or applicant in writing the reasons for using the consumer credit report. This “advance” notice provision would not apply to an employer investigation involving an employee “who the employer has reasonable cause to believe has engaged in specific activity that constitutes a violation of law.” This change to Washington’s fair credit reporting law goes into effect July 22, 2007.