S.B. 115 Summary

• Amends the definition of "Employer" under Oklahoma nursing care regulations to include facilities approved and annually reviewed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as medical foster homes providing care exclusively to three or fewer veterans.

• Requires criminal history background checks before employment or contract offers for nurse aides, with a $15.00 fee per check conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

• Prohibits employment of individuals convicted of serious crimes including abuse, neglect, rape, murder, kidnapping, assault, robbery, drug distribution, and larceny, with permanent disqualification for some offenses and 7-year restrictions for others.

• Prohibits employment of individuals addicted to Schedule I through V controlled drugs unless they provide evidence of successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program.

• Became effective November 1, 2015, and requires the State Department of Health to review employment files during facility inspections to ensure compliance.