The bill amends Section 40-13.2-5 of the General Laws concerning the certification of childcare and youth-serving workers and operators. It requires that employees of child day care, daycare centers, family daycare homes, group family daycare homes, child-placing agencies, and residential childcare facilities, which must be licensed by the department, undergo a comprehensive nationwide criminal records check. This check will be conducted by the bureau of criminal identification, the office of the attorney general, every local police department, or the department of children, youth and families.

The bill specifies that the comprehensive nationwide criminal records check will be provided to the applicant for employment. Currently, any expenses associated with providing the criminal records check to an existing employee must be paid by the applicant and/or the requesting agency. However, effective July 1, 2026, any new applicant, defined as any person who has submitted an application for employment to any agency or entity regulated by this section, will be exempt from the payment provisions. The nationwide criminal records check for new applicants will be conducted at no charge.

The bill aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals seeking employment in childcare roles and includes various insertions to clarify the types of facilities and agencies covered under the law, as well as the responsibilities of local police departments and other entities involved in the criminal records check process.

Statutes affected:
7428: 40-13.2-5