Increasing Employment Opportunities for Pennsylvanians with Criminal Histories

Current Cases & Projects

The lawsuit alleges SEPTA fails to comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in its procurement of consumer reports for employment purposes. According to the complaint, SEPTA fails to provide job applicants with a required “clear and conspicuous” written disclosure that it may obtain a consumer report for employment purposes. SEPTA also is accused of routinely violating Pennsylvania’s Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) through its policy and practice of disqualifying job applicants with unrelated felony convictions from employment in positions involving the operation of SEPTA vehicles.

Case Progress

August 2019
We file a second amended class action complaint in US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

September 2018
Third Circuit Affirms Right of Job Applicants to Review and Respond to Background Checks

December 2017
Oral Argument Heard

November 2017
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Case Dismissed

August 2017
Common Pleas Case Dismissed; US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Case Ongoing

July 2017
Brief in Opposition to Preliminary Objections Filed

June 2017
Plaintiffs' Brief Filed in Third Circuit

April 2017
District Court Dismisses Case; Law Center Appeals

October 2016
Oral Argument

July 2016
Our Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Filed

June 2016
Motion to Dismiss Filed

May 2016
SEPTA Background Checks Lawsuit Adds New Allegations and Plaintiffs

April 2016
We filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania