Restricting Employee Credit Checks Passes 1st Vote

DENVER (AP) - Colorado Senators gave initial approval to a measure restricting employers from using consumer credit information against job applicants unless the job they're applying for is in the financial or security sectors.

Democratic Senator Morgan Carroll says people who have lost jobs in the recession have taken a hit on their credit report and now have a tough time finding employment because consumer credit information is used against them.

More than a dozen states this year are considering legislation similar to Colorado's.

Opponents of the bill say businesses should be allowed to use all information available to them when making hiring decisions and that the legislation opens them up to lawsuits by disgruntled applicants.

The bill got preliminary approval in the Senate Monday but faces a tough road in the GOP-controlled House.

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