MN HF1002

Health-related licensing boards must require applicants for initial licensure, licensure by endorsement, and reinstatement to submit to state criminal background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and national criminal background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by January 1, 2018.

Applicants and licensees must complete a new criminal background check if more than one year has elapsed since their last background check submission.

Applicants or licensees who refuse to consent to a criminal background check or fail to submit fingerprints within 90 days of application will be denied licensure, and any paid fees will be forfeited; failure to comply with background checks for current licensees is grounds for disciplinary action.

Prior to taking disciplinary action based on criminal convictions, licensing boards must provide applicants or licensees 30 calendar days to challenge or complete the accuracy of criminal history information, with up to 180 days to dispute records with the responsible agency.

The Commissioner of Health must require criminal background checks for occupational therapy practitioners, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing instrument dispensers consistent with requirements for other health-related licensed occupations, contingent on the Department of Health not being reviewed by the Sunset Advisory Commission.