This Law Firm Publication by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. discusses Rhode Island's new law prohibiting employers from inquiring about applicants' criminal convictions on job applications. The law, which is effective January 1, 2014, defines "criminal convictions" to include guilty verdicts, guilty pleas and pleas of no contest. There are limited exceptions to the law, including for law enforcement positions and positions for which state or federal law prohibit workers with criminal convictions. Currently, Rhode Island employers are only prohibited from asking about arrests and criminal charges on applications.