SC S0996

Amends Section 63-13-190 to clarify that fingerprint-based background checks apply to volunteers and employees of contractors/subcontractors who deliver protective services, family preservation, foster care, reunification, adoption, and related services for the Department of Social Services

Removes language requiring fingerprint-based background checks for any person who has direct unsupervised contact with a child in DSS custody, narrowing the requirement to those specifically employed by or volunteering with contractors/subcontractors

Maintains the requirement for both state-level checks (conducted by SLED) and federal-level checks (conducted by FBI) for applicable personnel

Preserves the prohibition on employment, volunteer work, or child access for individuals convicted of crimes listed in Section 63-13-40(A)

Sponsored by Senators Young, Sutton, Reichenbach, Devine, Zell, Elliott, and Tedder; received majority favorable report from Senate Family and Veterans' Services Committee on March 12, 2026