California Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s bill to ban employers from performing credit checks on prospective employees has just passed the assembly. According to Mendoza, assessing a person’s credit history as a condition of employment is unfair and shameful. Mendoza says financial history is not a good indicator of trustworthiness or work ethic. That may be true, there’s no evidence to the contrary, but industry groups still aren’t on board. They claim credit screening is far less widespread than lawmakers would have us believe. They also say that - for the most part - the people who are being screened are employees who handle money or sensitive information. Mendoza’s bill, and the dozen or so others across the country, provide exemptions for these workers so the credit check industry claims the legislation will actually make very little difference. Either way, the bill is headed to the senate, but will it make it past Governor Jerry Brown? And will this remove a barrier to employment for the chronically unemployed or become a barrier to businesses just trying to find the best person for the job?

Guest:

Tony Mendoza, California Assemblyman representing the 56th district