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The governor signed a bill to establish stronger background screening requirements for people who might work at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

New Requirements

Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1242 (SB1242) into law. It is designed to strengthen existing standards for the background screening of applicants who hope to work at nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

SB1242 also prohibits job seekers who have felonies that involve violence or financial fraud from obtaining licenses that are required to hold certain care-related positions. The bill lists a variety of offenses that fall under these categories. It states that the NCIA Board will work with the Arizona Department of Health Services to create an expedited process for identifying and referring complaints between the agencies. Learn more about SB1242.

After signing this and related bills, the governor said: “Arizona is a land of opportunity for all and we believe government shouldn’t stand in the way of that. Today’s bills strengthen that belief. My thanks goes to all the lawmakers for their continued work to serve our great state.”

A Press Release

The Governor’s team published a press release that said the state's care facilities deserve accountability and leadership from their supervisors. It also noted that “seniors—grandmothers, grandfathers and family members—deserve nothing less to ensure their safety, happiness and health.”

This release explained the key goals of the bill are to more thoroughly vet potential managers and employees at care facilities and provide added safety regulations for individuals who rely on the services that are provided at these locations.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

Bills like SB1242 are designed to protect the elderly and other potentially vulnerable populations. They bolster screening requirements because background checks can show employers if a candidate has a criminal record that indicates they could pose an undue risk to the public, staff or organization.

Running comprehensive background reports is an ideal way for every employer to better identify qualified people who are deemed safe. These reports help hiring manager build strong teams, make informed decisions and avoid claims of negligent hiring. Running them on job seekers, contactors and volunteers is an essential part of every organization’s due diligence process.

Need Background Checks?

Bringing on someone who has a serious criminal record could result in various repercussions, such as potentially putting the people you serve in a dangerous position, financial loss, lawsuits and a loss of trust in your brand. We recommend consulting with legal counsel to ensure your screening policies are thorough and compliant with laws that are in effect wherever you operate.

If you organization needs background checks for employment purposes, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you customize screening packages based on industry requirements and your specific needs. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.