FL S1508

Agency for Health Care Administration must approve at least one credentialing entity by December 1, 2017 to develop and administer a voluntary certification program for assisted living facility employees.

Approved credentialing entities must establish core competencies, certification requirements, a code of ethics, disciplinary processes, and biennial continuing education requirements; applicants require training, on-the-job experience, supervision, and testing.

Application, examination, and certification fees cannot exceed $225; annual renewal fees cannot exceed $100.

All applicants must undergo level 2 background screening under chapter 435 and are ineligible if convicted of or pleading guilty to offenses listed in s. 435.04(2).

Assisted living facilities must immediately remove employees arrested for or convicted of offenses listed in s. 435.04(2) during employment and notify the credentialing entity within 3 business days; certificates automatically terminate 1 year after issuance if not renewed.