SB 428 Summary

• Requires child care facility and assisted living facility owners/operators to report background screening results to licensing agencies before hiring employees and prohibits hiring individuals with disqualifying offenses unless an exemption is granted.

• Prohibits licensing agencies from granting employment exemptions for individuals with felony or misdemeanor convictions for violent or sexual offenses against children or vulnerable adults.

• Increases the waiting period for requesting employment exemptions from 3 years to 5 years for disqualifying felonies, and requires licensing agencies to review exemptions every 3 years and revoke them if additional disqualifying offenses occur.

• Establishes child welfare certification requirements for child welfare services staff, designates a credentialing entity to administer the certification process, and requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop minimum trainer qualifications for training academies.

• Effective July 1, 2010.