MI HB6124

Requires area agencies on aging to conduct criminal background checks (ICHAT-style, national/state sex offender registry, and central registry checks) for all new employees, subcontractors, volunteers, and their employees who have in-person client contact, in-home contact, access to client property, or access to confidential information, effective January 1, 2021.

Background checks for new hires must be completed before they begin working directly with clients or accessing client property or confidential information.

Requires criminal background checks to be updated every 3 years for all employees and volunteers; existing employees/volunteers must be screened within 90 days of the law's effective date.

Prohibits individuals from working with clients if they have specified federal or state felony convictions (crimes against vulnerable adults, violent crimes, financial crimes, sex crimes, abuse, firearm felonies) or felony convictions within 10 years (government assistance fraud, theft, drug crimes) or misdemeanor convictions within 5 years (similar categories plus home invasion and assault).

Requires area agencies to maintain confidential files documenting all criminal background checks, staff subject to screening, dates of checks, and check sources; arrest records alone do not disqualify employment or volunteering.