This bill amends existing laws regarding the child care licensing process by allowing the child care licensing unit of the Department of Health and Human Services to directly access criminal history and record information from the state police. The bill replaces the term "background investigation" with "criminal history report" and specifies that the state police will provide a report of the applicant's criminal history, including confidential information, rather than just copies of criminal conviction records. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department maintain the confidentiality of all received criminal history records.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new criteria for determining an applicant's eligibility for employment in child care settings. It includes provisions for individuals who have been charged or convicted of serious offenses, such as murder, child abuse, or sexual assault, and specifies that the department must make eligibility determinations within 45 days of receiving all required information. The bill also repeals the child care licensing fund and stipulates that any remaining funds in that account will lapse into the state general fund by June 30, 2025, with the rest of the act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-N:8-a, 188-G:3
As Amended by the House: 21-N:8-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 21-N:8-a