SRA Screening Insights – April Edition

Message from the Editors:

Welcome to the April edition of the SRA Screening Insights newsletter.

Klasey Wojcik
kwojcik@srascreening.com
Direct: (754) 201-2693

Zulay Moreno
zmoreno@srascreening.com
Direct: (561) 569-8027

Did You Know?

SRA Screening offers fully remote, proctored oral drug testing — a fast, secure, and convenient solution. Live proctors ensure compliance in real-time, while candidates test from anywhere, saving you time and streamlining your hiring process!

Inside This Edition:

• • Why ‘Standard’ Digital Background Checks Can Be So Unreliable – Missing online data, combined with strict federal and state privacy regulations, often hinders the ability to thoroughly assess a prospective employee’s or tenant’s criminal history.

• • Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Charter School Can Be Held Liable for Hire of Sexual Abuser – A Minnesota charter school is facing a lawsuit after hiring a teacher without properly verifying his prior employment history, which included reports of abuse. Due to this oversight, the school can now be held legally liable for its negligent hiring practices.

• • DOT’s Oral-Fluid Drug Testing Raises Safety Concerns – The Department of Transportation’s upcoming adoption of oral-fluid drug testing for marijuana, expected to take effect later this year, is raising concerns within the trucking industry. Experts warn that the shorter detection window could lead to increased marijuana use among truck drivers by making it easier to avoid detection.

• • Background Screening Compliance Updates Employers Need In Q1 2025 – Employers kicked off 2025 amid a fast-changing compliance landscape. In just the first quarter, new laws emerged nationwide impacting background screening, drug testing, pay equity, and AI in hiring. To stay compliant, organizations must quickly adapt their policies, procedures, and platforms—these early changes already have major implications for hiring and risk management.

Why ‘Standard’ Digital Background Checks Can Be So Unreliable

Standard digital background checks can often be unreliable due to incomplete or inaccurate data, including outdated records and missing information. These checks primarily rely on public databases, which may not reflect recent legal outcomes. Errors like name mismatches or failure to update criminal records further complicate the process. Consequently, employers may make hiring decisions based on inaccurate or insufficient information, highlighting the need for more thorough, updated background screening methods.

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Charter School Can Be Held Liable for Hire of Sexual Abuser

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a Minneapolis Charter School could be held liable for hiring a teacher who had a history of sexual abuse but was not properly vetted. The court’s decision allows for schools to be sued if they hire staff who abuse students. The former teacher, convicted in multiple sexual abuse cases, was hired despite previous allegations and poor hiring practices, including failing to contact his former employer.

DOT’s Oral-Fluid Drug Testing Raises Safety Concerns

The DOT plans to implement oral fluid testing for marijuana later this year. While urine tests can detect cannabis use for several days or even weeks, oral fluid tests have a much shorter detection window—typically 24 to 48 hours. Supporters of the new method highlight its less invasive nature and the reduced risk of sample tampering, as collections are directly observed. However, the limited detection period has raised concerns about its ability to effectively identify habitual marijuana use.

Background Screening Compliance Updates Employers Need In Q1 2025

In Q1 2025, employers navigated major compliance changes in background screening, drug testing, pay equity, and AI in hiring. New “clean slate” and fair chance laws expanded job access for those with criminal records, while states pushed for more transparency in AI hiring tools. Shifting marijuana laws also limits pre-employment testing. These updates require swift policy changes and alignment with compliant technology partners.

Stay informed, stay compliant, and streamline your hiring process with SRA Screening.