Connecticut Background Checks: 2023 Essential Guide

• June 15, 2023
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Connecticut is a great place to do business and find top-notch employees, but it’s essential for employers to conduct background checks on pre-hires. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger corporation, knowing the ins and outs of Connecticut background check laws can save you from potential legal headaches down the line. Considering this, we’re sharing everything you need to know about conducting a Connecticut background check, including state-specific laws and regulations and how PreSearch Services can help streamline the process. 

How PreSearch Can Help With Background Check Services in Connecticut

PreSearch Services is a background check company that provides fast and reliable pre-employment screening services in Connecticut. Our state-of-the-art technology allows us to quickly gather information on potential hires to help employers make informed decisions.

Our team of experts conducts comprehensive criminal record searches, employment verification, education verification, reference checks, and more. They also ensure compliance with both federal and state laws to protect the employer from legal troubles.

Furthermore, PreSearch offers customizable packages based on the specific needs of our clients. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, we have options that will suit your requirements and budget.

What’s great about PreSearch Services for background checks is our user-friendly platform which allows our clients to access reports easily online. This saves time for your HR department while assuring you peace of mind knowing that all necessary information has been gathered before making critical hiring decisions.

PreSearch Services provides efficient background check solutions for companies looking to hire trusted employees in Connecticut. With our advanced technology and expertise in compliance regulations, we are an excellent choice for any organization seeking fast and accurate results.

What is a Background Check?

As you’ve probably assumed, a background check looks into a person’s past in order to show information about their criminal history, employment, and education verification, credit history, social media activity, and more. 

Employers usually conduct background checks to verify the accuracy of job candidates’ resumes and ensure they are a viable fit for your organization. Employers need background checks and screenings for trusted employees to determine if a) a candidate is qualified for the position, b) to determine if the applicant is trustworthy, and c) to fill in the necessary information that brings employers peace of mind when choosing to hire individuals.  

Importance of Connecticut State Background Checks

A Connecticut background check is crucial in helping employers ensure that the applicants being considered for employment have a clean record and do not pose any risks to the company or its employees.

A thorough Connecticut state background check can reveal crucial information about an applicant’s criminal history, education, employment history, credit score, driving record, and other relevant details. This information is critical when making informed decisions about potential candidates.

Connecticut Background Check Laws

Connecticut has specific laws that govern background checks for employment purposes. Employers need to be aware of these laws and ensure compliance, as failure to do so can have significant legal consequences, including fines and lawsuits. 

Federal Laws on Employment Background Checks

In addition to abiding by state laws, employers must also heed and comply with federal laws.  Here are a few common federal laws all employers should be mindful of.

Civil Rights Act, Title VII

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Ensuring that your hiring process remains fair and unbiased is crucial when conducting a Connecticut background check. Avoid making decisions solely based on an applicant’s protected characteristics.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

This federal law sets guidelines for employers that regulate how they can gather and use consumer reports, including background checks, when making hiring decisions. In Connecticut, employers must be aware of the specific requirements laid out by the FCRA to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

Under the FCRA, employers must follow certain procedures before taking adverse action based on information obtained from a background check. Adverse action includes not hiring an applicant or terminating an employee due to negative findings in their background report. Before taking adverse action, employers are required to provide applicants/employees with a copy of their consumer report and a written notice explaining their rights under the FCRA.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The EEOC enforces federal laws related to workplace discrimination and provides guidance for employers regarding background checks. They emphasize that using arrest records as a sole basis for employment decisions may disproportionately impact individuals from certain racial or ethnic groups and could potentially lead to discriminatory practices.

Connecticut State Employment Background Check Laws

It is important for employers to understand Connecticut background check laws before conducting any background check on a prospective employee. To help you with that, here are some state laws you should be familiar with while pre-screening applicants.

Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA)

The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA) is a state law that forbids employers from discriminating against or withholding employment from job applicants based on race, religion, sexuality, gender, and other characteristics.  The CFEPA applies to all state employers with three or more employees. prohibits

Connecticut Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range

Connecticut Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range was introduced to address the gender pay gap and promote wage transparency in the state. As per this law, employers are required to disclose the salary range for a position when asked by a prospective employee or their representative.

Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i

Under this set of Connecticut statutes, employers are forbidden to base hiring decisions on individuals who have erased, expunged, or sealed criminal records. The statutes also prohibit employers from discriminating against candidates based on erased or expunged records or provisional pardons. Additionally, § 31-51i lays out restrictions for consumer credit reporting agencies regarding how credit report information is gathered, used, and distributed during the pre-hire process.

Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-81c

Under this statute, employers are meant to consider an applicant has undergone rehabilitation if they have committed a criminal offense or given a provisional pardon.  If, in the event, an employer chooses not to hire an applicant due to criminal background check, Connecticut statute § 46a-81c requires the employer to provide the applicant with detailed and clear reasons in writing for the decision to deny employment.

Failure to Comply With Connecticut Background Check Laws

F failure to comply with background check laws can result in significant legal consequences. These consequences can include fines and lawsuits, which can majorly impact the business’s finances and reputation.

The fines for non-compliance with Connecticut background check laws vary depending on the offense. For example, employers who fail to provide job applicants with written notice of their right to obtain a copy of their consumer report under FCRA may face penalties up to $2,500 per violation.

In addition to financial penalties, failing to comply with background check laws can also lead to costly lawsuits. Job applicants who believe they were unfairly discriminated against or denied employment due to information uncovered during a background check may file discrimination claims against the employer.

Types of Background Checks in Connecticut

There are two primary types of background checks Connecticut employers can perform, and these are:

Employment Background Checks

These checks typically involve verifying a candidate’s work history, education, and professional licenses or certifications. This type of check is useful for ensuring that the candidate has the qualifications and experience they claim to have on their resume.

Criminal Background Checks 

These types of background checks involve searching public records to determine if a candidate has any prior convictions or pending charges. Criminal backgrounds also help identify potential red flags, such as violent crimes or fraud-related offenses that could pose a risk in certain job roles.

How to Get a Background Check in Connecticut

If you go the DIY (do it yourself) route, you can submit a request for a criminal Connecticut background check from the State Bureau of Police Identification, which is a division of the Connecticut State Police. You will need to have the applicant provide fingerprints by appointment with the State Police, or you can submit a mail request for a criminal history report from the state via mail.

Keep in mind that this state-generated report will only provide criminal activity committed in the state of Connecticut.  A better and more thorough solution is getting a State of Connecticut background check through a professional service such as PreSearch.  We provide you with far more information than state records.  For instance, we can run checks on international criminal activity (if any), education history, employment history, and so much more. 

How Long Does a Connecticut Background Check Take?

The duration of a background check in Connecticut can vary depending on several factors. One crucial factor is the type of background check being conducted, as some checks may take longer than others.

For instance, an employment background check that only requires verifying education and previous employment history may take less time compared to a criminal background check that involves checking court records and waiting on the state to process criminal record requests.

Your best solution is to use PreSearch. We provide quick and fast background checks that give you all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions possible.  Unlike in-house, DIY, or state-generated checks, which could take days or weeks to get results – you can get results with PreSearch in a fraction of the time – in some cases, even the next day.

How Far Back Do Background Checks Go in Connecticut?

The state of Connecticut abides by the FCRA seven-year lookback standard when it comes to how far a background check delves into an applicant’s history. However, an employer can look back further than the seven-year standard in certain circumstances.  Depending upon how much the applicant stands to earn if granted employment ($75,000 or more), an employer can review credit histories further back than seven years.  Some criminal activity on an applicant’s Connecticut background check may also be considered – even if it is older than seven years.

What Shows Up on an Employment Background Check in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, employers are privileged to be able to gather all manner of information when conducting pre-screenings on potential new hires.  In general, the following details are usually gathered for a typical background check in Connecticut:

• Criminal history information
• Identity verification
• Employment verification
• Education verification and credentials
• Sex offender registry information
• Driving records and traffic violations
• Credit history (subject to restrictions)

How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Connecticut?

If you opt to get your background check via the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification, you can expect to pay $15 for the fingerprint processing fee and an additional $75 state processing fee to conduct a criminal background check in Connecticut.

A much better value is to partner with PreSearch.  Why? Because we can give you criminal reports, plus all manner of different types of background information for a flat, affordable price.  Remember, you’ll only receive criminal activity for the $90 dollar state fee.  With PreSearch, you get abundantly more information (not just Connecticut criminal activity) for a reasonable service fee.