Ohio bill proposes limited access to social media for employers - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - It's a growing trend, Ohio lawmakers are now working to stop employers asking job applicants to provide both their username and password to all social media accounts.

Ohio lawmakers are proposing a bill that would keep employers from asking for the usernames and passwords of existing and potential employees.

The bill also protects employees from being fired or disciplined if they refuse to give up the information.

"Just like an employer wouldn't come and ask to make an inspection of your home, they shouldn't be asking for your username and password," said Professor Patrick J. Bateman, an expert on social media at Youngstown State University.

Bateman warns that while the idea of banning an employer from accessing your private account may bring relief to social media users, employers may still be able to see your social media page.

"If the information is public, and / or you've allowed that employer into your social network, that information is being made public to them and there is nothing they are doing that is illegal," Bateman said.

The warning isn't only to the employee, but to the employer. Imagine if they come across information that violates employee confidentiality.

"Are they potentially opening themselves up to legal cases," Bateman asked. "If they decide this person wasn't fit for the job because they didn't meet the expertise or experience requirements they were looking for, but then all of a sudden, 'Well you saw that I had one of these issues and that's what you based your decision on.'"

So far, six other states have passed similar legislation and at least 20 others are considering it.