CAREGIVER BACKGROUND CHECKS

SB 222 shifts oversight of caregiver background checks from the New Mexico Department of Health to the Health Care Authority. It expands the list of disqualifying felony convictions to include sex trafficking, cruelty to animals, and specific offenses like child abuse, elder abuse, and assault on peace officers. The bill also grants the Health Care Authority power to add more disqualifying crimes through rules and requires care providers to submit fingerprints for nationwide criminal history checks before hiring. All background check results remain confidential, with limited disclosure only for employment decisions and specific appeals processes. This directly affects caregivers, care providers (like hospitals and facilities), and the agencies managing these checks.