[Alberta's Child]

Employers that violate the new rules, which will be enforced by the Maine Department of Labor, could face penalties of up to $500 for each violation.

So the Maine Dept. of Labor is really just saying that it’s OK to do a criminal background check, as long as you’re willing to pay $500 for it.

[Beagle8U]

Or...just trash all the applications with a name that looks like one chosen at random from a Zimbabwe phone book.

[Svartalfiar]

So the Maine Dept. of Labor is really just saying that it’s OK to do a criminal background check, as long as you’re willing to pay $500 for it.

Or, you just start by offering every applicant a "conditional offer of employment" for $1 salary, with the condition being that you have to pass the hiring process. Then there is no fine, and you can continue the hiring process as normal.