DE HB256

Requires criminal background checks for all Department of Health and Social Services employees, contractors, and volunteers who visit families in their homes or have regular, direct access to children under 18

Background checks must include fingerprinted Delaware and national criminal history checks through SBI and FBI, plus a Child Protection Registry check through DSCYF

Establishes disqualifying criminal convictions with varying prohibition periods: lifetime ban for felony physical/sexual assault against children, elderly, or impaired adults; 10-year ban for such felonies against other adults; 7-year ban for other violent felonies and misdemeanors against children

Allows conditional employment for up to 60 days pending background check results, provided the prospective employee has been fingerprinted

Costs for obtaining criminal history and Child Protection Registry information must be paid by the employee, contractor, or volunteer