Bill > SB5531

This bill streamlines the home care worker background check process by modifying existing laws to create more nuanced and equitable screening procedures for individual providers and home care agency providers. The bill allows certain workers with past criminal convictions to potentially continue working after a specified time has passed since their conviction, depending on the specific crime. It introduces a 30-day temporary practice period during which workers can have unsupervised access to vulnerable adults or children while their background check is being reviewed, provided they are not immediately disqualified. The bill requires that parents or guardians be notified about the pending background check and be given the opportunity to decline services. Key changes include limiting when new fingerprint-based background checks must be conducted, defining various terms like "authorized entity" and "character, competence, and suitability review," and establishing clearer guidelines for when and how background checks should be performed. The legislation aims to balance worker opportunity with the protection of vulnerable populations by creating a more flexible and transparent background check process that considers individual circumstances while maintaining safeguards against potential risks.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5531&Year=2025&Initiative=false