lots of other things are banned from being used for screening in many jurisdictions - age, gender, race, nationality, religious and political views and affiliations, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parenthood, veteran status, medical history, benefit-claimant, expired criminal convictions etc.
Funnily enough you'll find most of the above on Facebook. Of course in practice all such laws are largely unenforceable, and rely on recruiters being law-abiding citizens
I would guess that this kind of laws mainly does one thing: create the job of the agent. I wouldn't be surprised if agents are not bound by these laws? After all, they are not hiring. They only suggest people to hire to other companies.
Also, while I sympathize with the goals, I sympathize with the plight of the small business owner more. Yet another law == yet another rabbit hole to stumble into. In effect, more costs for hiring lawyers.
Funnily enough you'll find most of the above on Facebook. Of course in practice all such laws are largely unenforceable, and rely on recruiters being law-abiding citizens