This bill amends existing laws to enhance the process by which the child care licensing unit of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) can access criminal history information for applicants. Specifically, it allows the DHHS to obtain criminal history reports directly from the state police, which includes confidential criminal history record information and checks against the National Sex Offender Registry. 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, indicating whether the individual is registered on the National Sex Offender Registry. The DHHS is required to maintain the confidentiality of all received criminal history records.

Additionally, the bill outlines the criteria for determining an applicant's eligibility for employment in child care settings. It introduces new language that includes individuals who have been "charged pending disposition" or convicted of serious offenses, such as murder, child abuse, or sexual assault, as factors that may disqualify them from employment. The bill also repeals the child care licensing fund and stipulates that any remaining funds in this account will lapse into the state general fund by June 30, 2025. The effective date for the majority of the bill is set for July 1, 2025, with specific provisions taking effect on June 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 170-E:7
Version adopted by both bodies: 170-E:7
SB22 text: 170-E:7