CS/CS/CS/HB 943 - Background Screening Summary

• Creates the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse under the Agency for Health Care Administration to share criminal history check results among specified agencies by September 30, 2013.

• Exempts mental health personnel working less than 15 hours per week of direct contact with patients and certain volunteers and relatives from fingerprinting and background screening requirements.

• Establishes a 5-year rescreening schedule for persons subject to background screening, with fingerprints retained by the Department of Law Enforcement and resubmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation every 5 years.

• Allows employers to hire employees to positions requiring background screening before screening completion for training purposes, but prohibits direct contact with vulnerable persons until screening is complete.

• Requires initial licensure applications for health professions to include fingerprints submitted through approved vendors after January 1, 2013, with applicants bearing the costs of fingerprint processing and retention.