SF3180 Bill Summary

• Removes the January 1, 2018 deadline for health-related licensing boards to conduct criminal background checks, making background checks a permanent requirement for initial licensure, endorsement, reinstatement, and interstate compact participation.

• Criminal background checks remain valid for one year; applicants must complete a new check if more than one year has elapsed since the previous check or if licensure is not completed within that timeframe.

• Reduces the threshold for alternative background check methods from three to two sets of unreadable fingerprints submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or FBI.

• Establishes procedures for temporary license suspension when a health-related licensing board has probable cause to believe a regulated person presents imminent risk of serious harm, with a contested case hearing required within 30 days and suspension automatically lifted if final order not issued within 30-60 days depending on hearing outcomes.

• Exempts health-related licensing boards from restrictions on considering criminal history in licensing decisions and prohibits criminal history record information from being exchanged between states.