Not sure if it should be up to the employer as they are requiring me to give permission to access my personal information. Maybe it should be up to the states to decide this, I would be more comfortable with that than the Fed taking action.
I can also see where is might be a factor depending on the job. That said, I know many good people who have been financially devastated by this economy and it has nothing to do with their character. They are good and talented workers and this should not be held against them.
The states could decide, or as you say you can decide. A lot places do not do credit checks. I bet most fast food chains don’t.
It’s up to the employer to decide on what qualifications they set for any position in their business, right?
If they decide in their experience that a credit check makes it less likely they’ll get a thief as a new employee, then they should be allowed to ask for permission to run a credit check on an application. Of course you can refuse and go look for work some where else.