Bill > S01396

This bill enhances criminal background check requirements for maintenance employees working in adult residential health and assisted living facilities. The legislation defines "maintenance employees" as individuals providing supportive services like janitorial, security, laundry, and groundskeeping work, but excludes volunteers. The Department of Health will now have access to criminal history records maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services for these workers, enabling them to conduct comprehensive background checks. Courts are now required to notify the Department of Health within seven days if a maintenance employee is convicted of a crime while performing their duties. Any request for criminal history records must be accompanied by the individual's fingerprints. The bill also expands the definition of "employee" in existing public health law to explicitly include maintenance workers, and modifies regulations to allow temporary approval of prospective employees while criminal history checks are pending, with appropriate supervision and documentation. These changes aim to enhance safety and screening procedures in residential care facilities by providing more thorough oversight of maintenance staff who work in close proximity to vulnerable populations like the elderly and disabled.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1396