The bill seeks to enhance the background check process for home care workers in Washington State by amending existing laws governing the screening of long-term care workers. It stipulates that the Department of Social and Health Services cannot automatically disqualify individuals with certain criminal convictions after a designated period, such as three years for selling cannabis to a minor or ten years for first-degree theft. The bill clarifies that these provisions do not apply to background checks for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, nor to department employees except under specific circumstances. Additionally, it introduces new language regarding the discretion of authorized entities in assessing the suitability of individuals with past convictions for roles involving vulnerable populations.

Moreover, the bill establishes a state registry for long-term care workers with substantiated findings of abuse or neglect, which will include rules on disclosure, notification, and appeal rights. It mandates that clients be informed of background check results and their rights to request copies. The bill also redefines key terms related to long-term care providers and background checks, introducing definitions for "authorized entity," "fingerprint-based background check," and "home care agency provider," while clarifying the definition of "provider" to encompass various categories of long-term care workers. The Department of Social and Health Services is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes effectively.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.20A.715, 74.39A.056
Substitute Bill: 43.20A.715, 74.39A.056