SPRINGFIELD – Employers would be barred from asking workers and job applicants for their passwords to social media sites such as Facebook under legislation approved Thursday by the Illinois House.

Although it’s rare, some employers have begun requesting passwords from job seekers so interviewers can browse their profiles, or asking them to sign into their accounts during interviews. The practice appears to be more common in law enforcement and government agencies.

The legislation, approved 78-30, would prohibit employers from demanding passwords or ordering workers and applicants to sign into their accounts for management to review them.