In February, New York will be enacting three new hiring rules aimed at aiding ex-offenders find sustainable employment.  Under the new rules, employers will be afforded some sort of legal protection against lawsuits for negligent hiring if they hire ex-offenders based on New York Correctional Law Article 23-A. The new rules require employers to provide a copy of Article 23-A to all job candidates undergoing a background investigation. Under the rules, employers are also required to post a copy of Article 23-A in an area that is largely visible to all employees. The new rules also mandate that employers provide a copy of Article 23-A to any applicant in which their background investigation contains a criminal record.  Employers should begin to analyze their current background screening packages and consult with a professional background screening firm such as Employment Background Investigations, Inc. (EBI) to ensure proper compliance with New York Correctional Law Article 23-A.