New Jersey is the first state to ban discrimination against the unemployed in print or online job listings. Employers are forbidden from requiring current employment as a job qualification or from stating that applications from unemployed job applicants will not be considered or reviewed. The new law, which becomes effective June 1, mandates fines of $1,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for the second offense.

Legislation on a federal level was introduced in March to make it illegal for employers to refuse to hire or to lower compensation for an unemployed applicant.

See coverage of the N.J. law in Businessweek, MediaBistro and Huffington Post.

For more on this topic, read Unemployed Not Wanted?