Bill > HB1490

This bill concerns fingerprint-based background checks for individuals working in roles involving vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly, or people with developmental disabilities. The legislation expands and clarifies requirements for background checks by the departments of social and health services and children, youth, and families. Specifically, the bill mandates that applicants and service providers in various care settings must submit fingerprints for national background checks through the Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation. This includes long-term care workers, direct care workers, child placement providers, residential facility workers, and others who may have unsupervised access to vulnerable individuals. The bill defines key terms like "applicant," "service provider," and "unsupervised," and specifies different scenarios requiring background checks, such as working in adult family homes, assisted living facilities, or providing services to people with developmental disabilities. It also establishes provisions for provisional hiring during background check processing and determines which departments will pay associated fees. The legislation aims to enhance safety by thoroughly vetting individuals who work in sensitive caregiving roles, ensuring comprehensive background screening across various health and social service settings.

Education, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1490&Year=2025&Initiative=false