Background checks - Maine

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Arrest and conviction record inquiries

Legislative Document (LD) 1167 effective October 18, 2021, prohibits Maine employers from requesting criminal history record information on initial job applications. It also prohibits employers from stating on initial job applications or advertisements or specifying prior to determining applications are otherwise qualified for the job that applicants with a criminal history may not apply or will not be considered for a job.

After September 17, 2019, applications for employment with state government may not include any questions regarding an applicant’s criminal history, except when necessary due to the nature or requirements of the position.Legislative Document 170

State

Contacts

Employer Immunity from disclosure claims

Maine Department of Labor

Arrest record inquiries

Maine Human Rights Commission

Conviction record inquiries

Maine Human Rights Commission

Regulations

Employer immunity from disclosure claims

Maine Revised Statute Title 26, Chapter 7, Section 598, Employment reference immunity

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/26/title26sec598.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 26, Chapter 7, Section 630, written statement of reason for termination of employment

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/26/title26sec630.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 17, Chapter 17, Section 401, Definition; penalty

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17/title17sec401.html

Arrest record inquiries

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5301, Eligibility for occupational license or permit

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5301.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5302, Denial, suspension, revocation or other discipline of licenses because of criminal record

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5302.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5303, Time limit on consideration of prior criminal conviction

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5303.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5304, Appeals

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5304.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 28-A, Subpart 1, Chapter 29, Section 703-A, Prohibition of employment of violators as retail employees

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/28-A/title28-Asec703-A.html

Conviction record inquiries

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5301, Eligibility for occupational license or permit

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5301.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5302, Denial, suspension, revocation or other discipline of licenses because of criminal record

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5302.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5303, Time limit on consideration of prior criminal conviction

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5303.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 5, Chapter 341, Section 5304, Appeals

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec5304.html

Maine Revised Statute Title 28-A, Subpart 1, Chapter 29, Section 703-A, Prohibition of employment of violators as retail employees

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/28-A/title28-Asec703-A.html

Federal

Contacts

Employer immunity from disclosure claims

None.

Arrest record inquiries

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Conviction record inquiries

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Regulations

Employer immunity from disclosure claims

None.

Arrest record inquiries

None; however, EEOC published the enforcement guidance, Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on April 25, 2012.

Conviction record inquiries

None; however, EEOC published the enforcement guidance, Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on April 25, 2012.