AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- EMPLOYEE CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK

This bill allows facilities and programs licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health to use qualified vendors to conduct criminal background checks for job applicants. The requirement applies to positions involving routine contact with patients, residents, or clients without other employees present, and the checks must include fingerprinting to verify state and federal criminal records. Organizations with 250 or more employees are specifically required to submit these checks through the Office of the Attorney General, while smaller entities may use local police departments or vendors. If disqualifying information is found, authorities will notify both the employer and the applicant, though the employer will only be told that a disqualifying item exists without knowing its specific nature. Employers must keep proof of these checks on file, and failure to do so could result in the revocation of their facility's license.