HB3631 Summary

• Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to establish comprehensive criminal background disqualifications for child care facility applicants, employees, and adult residents, including convictions for violent crimes, sexual offenses, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and firearm-related offenses.

• Creates a discretionary exception process allowing the Department to license applicants with certain felony convictions (financial crimes, fraud, theft) if more than 5 years have passed since the offense, a background check is conducted, and all other licensing requirements are met.

• Establishes stricter 10-year waiting periods for drug offenses before exceptions can be considered, unless the applicant passes a drug test paid for by the facility at least 5 years after the offense.

• Sets different standards for foster family homes, requiring 10 years to have passed since a disqualifying conviction and mandating that the applicant previously disclosed the conviction and had it assessed and waived under prior law.

• Establishes nine evaluation guidelines for the Department to use when considering exceptions, including applicant's age at offense, time elapsed, employment and character references, educational achievement, and any certificates of relief from disabilities or good conduct.