AR SB559

Amends Arkansas Code § 20-38-105(b) to clarify that criminal background checks apply to healthcare personnel regardless of whether offense records are expunged, pardoned, or sealed.

Adds technical corrections to the list of disqualifying criminal offenses for healthcare providers, including clarifications to statutes covering false imprisonment, battery, assault, and animal cruelty.

Establishes exceptions allowing individuals not disqualified as of August 31, 2009, to remain employed if they have not been convicted of listed offenses, similar state offenses, or similar federal offenses since that date.

Permits service providers to accept and transfer criminal background check determinations between different divisions of the Department of Human Services (child care, family services, developmental disabilities, and long-term care) when the same provider operates multiple service types and meets specified conditions.

Eliminates the requirement for repeated criminal background checks when an applicant or employee already has a valid employment determination from another division or office of the same service provider.