2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Allow Insured Depository Institutions To
Hire Individuals Convicted Of Certain Minor Criminal Offenses, Offenses
That Were Expunged, Or Low Risk Offenses. In May 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Fair Hiring in
Banking Act, which would "modify banking regulatory law to allow insured
depository institutions to hire individuals convicted for certain minor
criminal offenses without approval from a federal regulator.
Specifically, it would create exemptions from existing prohibitions on
the hiring of individuals convicted of a criminal offense involving
dishonesty, breach of trust or money laundering if they committed the
offense at least seven years prior; were released from incarceration for
the offense for at least five years prior; or committed the offense at
age 21 or younger and were sentenced more than 30 months prior. It would
also create exemptions for offenses that were expunged, sealed or
dismissed, as well as de minimis offenses and 'low-risk' offenses such
as the use of a fake ID, shoplifting, trespassing and fare evasion if at
least one year has passed since conviction or entry into a pretrial
diversion program. Among other provisions, it would require the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union
Administration to establish an application process for individuals and
financial institutions to submit consent applications for offenses not
covered by exemptions established by the bill and to consider an
individual's criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation and scope of
potential employment in reviewing such applications." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 329-88, thus the bill
was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 156,
5/11/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/11/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5911]