Quarterly Compliance Update, Q2 2021

Quarterly Compliance Updates | May 19, 2021

Marijuana legalization, criminal records, Texas plumbing license changes, and upcoming FCRA training are all included in this quarterly update.

Each quarter, PlusOne Solutions provides a compliance update to keep you abreast of changes and updates in legal developments as well as company news. This information is provided for education only and does not constitute legal advice.

Maintaining Compliance and Delays with COVID-19

Throughout the last year, PlusOne Solutions has continued to work with Customers to ensure their levels of compliance remain strong. Some courts may still have extended turnaround times or altered hours for their clerk assisted process but most courts are open and completing searches. We are happy to report that our turnaround times, in aggregate, are back in line with pre-pandemic levels! For unique situations or additional questions, please contact us at Screenings@PlusOneSolutions.Net for more information.

Marijuana Legalization Continues Across the U.S.

With recreational and medical marijuana continuing to be legalized across many states, the trend does not seem to be slowing. As the most used illicit drug, marijuana is still considered a prohibited Schedule I drug at the federal level and therefore illegal. Further, organizations still need to balance their liability exposure as they strive to maintain safe work environments for their employees, contractors, and customers. A service contractor working under the influence of any drugs, including marijuana, may still pose a significant operational, legal and safety risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 13 percent of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to COVID-19. While there are continued efforts for a federal approach to legalization, until that time, we remain subject to state-by-state legislation.

Not All Criminal Records Are Created Equal

As county and state jurisdictions continue to embrace social justice reforms and scrutinize how criminal record information may create barriers for individuals, PlusOne Solutions is monitoring the impact this has on network contractors and their background screenings. More jurisdictions are requiring either specific steps to be added to the decision process to allow the individual more access to their information and the opportunity to explain any convictions but may also require a tighter connection between the nature of the offense and the work being done. PlusOne Solutions has always used a risk relevancy approach with Customers when evaluating criminal record information and knows that not all criminal records are created equal and a criminal record itself is not sufficient to create a barrier to network eligibility. The nature of the offense, length of time since it occurred, relevance to the role, and efforts at rehabilitation are all considerations that are included in our process.

Compliance Has Never Been More Important

With so many people at home more now for work, school, health or lockdown reasons, our Customer service networks have been busy! For this reason, we have received many requests to ensure compliance levels are as strong as possible. If you want to boost your number of screened contractors, or improve your COI Management compliance, please reach out to Support@PlusOneSolutions.Net so we can design a campaign to support you!

Texas Plumbing License Changes Coming…

In a move designed to improve state agencies, a recommendation was made in 2019 to abolish the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. The regulation of plumbing was to be transferred to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), however, disagreements between lawmakers have pushed a final decision on who will regulate the trade and issue licenses for plumbing to 2021. PlusOne Solutions is continuing to monitor this situation and will update Customers of any impactful changes.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Training 2021

We will start the 2021 FCRA Training program for our Customers shortly. This training covers the basics of the law, the responsibilities of requesting and using consumer reports as well as obligations for the destruction of information. Please watch for this notice and complete the training. PlusOne Solutions requests an annual certification from Customers to ensure their partnership in remaining compliant with FCRA obligations. Completion of this training constitutes certification and keeps Customer users updated on their obligations when using consumer reports.

About PlusOne Solutions

PlusOne Solutions has been an industry leader in the risk management field by specializing in compliance programs that meet the complex challenges of geographically dispersed contractors, vendors, and employee networks. PlusOne Solutions protects companies from possible financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships while creating safer work environments. To learn more, visit https://www.PlusOneSolutions.net.

Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel with respect to their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.