HB 5586 Summary

• Amends criminal history background check requirements for covered healthcare facilities and staffing agencies that employ individuals with direct access to patients or residents.

• Expands definition of "home health agency" to include providers offering nursing, therapeutic, social work, homemaker, home health aide, companion care, custodial care, private duty care, continence care, and related services (removes requirement that agencies be Medicare-certified).

• Establishes automated fingerprint identification system database maintained by Department of State Police to track employees and provide automatic notification when individuals are arrested for disqualifying offenses.

• Requires covered facilities to conduct criminal history checks and registry searches on applicants before employment; allows conditional employment if applicant signs statement confirming no disqualifying criminal history while check is pending.

• Creates penalties including misdemeanor charges (up to 93 days imprisonment/$500 fine) for providing false information on statements and for unauthorized disclosure of criminal history information.