The bill amends the Occupational Code to update the terms of office for members of various professional boards, specifying commencement dates for professions such as accountancy, architecture, and cosmetology. It introduces Article 14A, which establishes licensing requirements for professional guardians and conservators, including age, educational qualifications, criminal background checks, and the necessity for professional liability insurance. The licensing process aims to ensure that only qualified individuals can serve in these roles, with clear criteria for both initial licensing and renewal.

Additionally, the bill enhances employment standards for professional guardians and conservators by prohibiting the employment of individuals with certain criminal convictions that could endanger incapacitated individuals. It outlines the process for conducting criminal history checks and mandates that conditional employees must be terminated if their background checks do not confirm their identity or criminal history. The bill also imposes penalties for providing false information during the hiring process and establishes ongoing monitoring requirements for employees, including reporting any new criminal charges and submitting fingerprints for background checks. The Department of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will maintain a confidential database to facilitate automatic notifications to employers regarding disqualifying offenses, and an electronic system will be created to assist in conducting these checks.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 339.303
House Introduced Bill: 339.303