CA SB1384

Eliminates mandatory denial of nurse assistant certification based solely on criminal conviction, allowing the state department discretion to consider convictions case-by-case rather than as automatic bars to certification.

Requires the state department to consider rehabilitation evidence when evaluating applicants with criminal records, including employment history, therapy participation, time elapsed since conviction, parole/probation compliance, court orders, and gubernatorial pardons.

Establishes that convictions substantially related to nurse assistant duties can still be grounds for denial only if the department determines the applicant has not adequately demonstrated rehabilitation and presents a threat to patient health and safety.

Maintains criminal background clearance requirements for all nurse assistant applicants through fingerprint submission to the Department of Justice before direct patient contact.

Makes related amendments to the criminal record clearance process, including allowing applicants up to two years to provide rehabilitation evidence after receiving a criminal record report.