CONCORD, NH- State lawmakers are considering a bill that would bar employers from asking an employee or potential employee for the password and user name to their Facebook or other social media accounts.

As employers can ask an array of questions during an interview, some are wondering is it right that an employer ask a potential employee for their login information, or is that crossing a line that mirrors asking the candidate if their married or have children; as such questions have been deemed unacceptable and  also highly inappropriate.

The woman behind the bill Rep. Katherine Rogers of Concord says “There are a number of things you aren’t allowed to ask. With Facebook and other social media, it’s a way for employers to circumvent the system if you will”.

While the bill co-sponsored by Rogers is already gaining strong support from unions in the state who feel being forced to give up their passwords is an invasion of privacy. There is a group of folks who feel that asking for personal information such as Social media user information helps weed out candidates who may not be as qualified as originally thought; like State Police Lieutenant John Marasco who says,” In order to make sure we hire the most trust worthy qualified, ethical candidates, we have to make sure we exhaust all opportunities to find out who these candidates are, and what their backgrounds are.”

In response Rep. Rogers said, “There have been background checked before there were computers.” Rogers went on to say “There are checks in many ways that can be done, but we want to prevent people from giving up their privacy”.

As a majority of states in the country have already passed similar laws banning such moves by employers, the current status of the bill co-sponsored by Rogers is currently being considered by the House Labor Committee.