Connecticut Bans Inquiries into Applicants' Age on Employment Applications

On June 24, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 21-69, An Act Deterring Age Discrimination in Employment Applications (“Act”), which prohibits employers, or employers’ agents, from requesting or requiring a prospective employee to provide his or her age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at, or date of graduation from, an educational institution on an initial employment application. The Act amends Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-60 by making it a discriminatory practice for an employer to request or require this information.

There are two exceptions. The prohibition does not apply to an employer requesting or requiring such information (A) based on a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or (B) when such information is required to comply with any provision of state or federal law.

The Act applies to all employers with three or more employees and goes into effect on October 1, 2021. An aggrieved applicant may file a complaint alleging violation of the Act with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. 

What Connecticut Employers Should Do Now

Before the Act goes into effect on October 1, 2021, employers should do the following:

• Review employment applications to ensure that they do not seek information about an applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at educational institutions and graduation dates.
• Notify third parties involved in the hiring process, such as recruiters and headhunters, about the Act.

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