Thomas Ahearn summarizes a law that went into effect in New Hampshire on September 30:
House Bill 1407 (HB 1407) – prohibits employers in the state from requiring employees or job applicants to disclose social media or electronic mail passwords. The final version of HB 1407 is available at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/HB1407.html.
Signed by New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan, HB 1407 adds a subdivision titled “Use of Social Media and Electronic Mail” to the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA). Under HB 1407:
- No employer shall request or require that an employee or prospective employee disclose login information for accessing any personal social media account or service through an electronic communication device.
- No employer shall compel an employee or applicant to add anyone, including the employer or the employer’s agent, to a list of contacts associated with an electronic mail account or personal social media account or require an employee or applicant to reduce the privacy settings associated with any electronic mail or personal account that would affect a third party’s ability to view the contents of the account.
- No employer shall take or threaten to take disciplinary action against any employee for such employee’s refusal to comply with a request or demand by the employer that violates HB 1407.
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