HB2393 Summary

• Expands the scope of background checks for individuals with responsibilities relating to or in close proximity to minors, young adults, and vulnerable adults to include all relevant actions during adulthood, with criminal history checks limited to convictions only.

• Creates new section 346-B requiring the Department of Human Services to conduct background checks on employees, volunteers, contractors, and principals working with child welfare services, with authority to deny or terminate employment based on background investigation findings.

• Adds definitions for "background check" and "principal" to Chapter 346, and updates multiple statutory sections (346-17, 346-17.6, 346-19.7, 346-97, 346-152.5, 346-154, 352-5.5, 352D-4.3) to expand background check requirements beyond criminal history to include child abuse registries and other departmentally-deemed necessary checks.

• Applies background check requirement changes to child care facilities, adoptive parents, youth correctional facilities, and emergency shelter providers, with implementation limited to new contracts, renewals, and employment commencing after June 30, 2022.

• Effective date: July 1, 2060.