Background Screening Bill Passes, Heads to Governor's Desk

FHCA is pleased to report another successful legislative outcome. HB 943 by Rep. Doug Holder (R-70), which makes several fixes to the background screening law enacted in 2010, has passed and is on its way to the Governor's desk for signature. FHCA has taken an active role on this issue, providing initial recommendations to the Governor's Interagency Background Screening Workgroup in December and supporting important legislative amendments to address several fixes as the bill made its way through the process.

HB 943 will fix the "volunteer" issue that caused Gov. Scott's veto last year, as well as the redundant background screening issue that affects DOEA direct-service providers and many of FHCA's ALF members. The bill also allows employers to hire a person for training and orientation prior to having a screening complete with certain caveats, and reduces duplicative screenings for CNAs. It also clears the way for sharing background screening information across agencies through the Agency for Health Care Administration’s new clearinghouse and sets up a new requirement for employers to report employment status changes to the clearinghouse. LiveScan fingerprint vendors will now be asked to meet certain practice thresholds and will be approved by FDLE.

FHCA wants to thank all those members who spoke to legislators throughout the session to encourage their support of this bill. The bill becomes law upon signature by the Governor, and we will keep you updated once that happens.