Bill > A04596

This bill modifies laws related to criminal history checks for maintenance employees in adult residential health and assisted living facilities. It defines a "maintenance employee" as any individual providing supportive services like janitorial, security, or groundskeeping work in facilities that care for elderly or disabled residents, excluding volunteers. The bill gives the Department of Health the authority to access criminal history records for these maintenance workers through the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Courts are now required to notify the Department of Health within seven days if a maintenance employee is convicted of a crime while working at a facility. Any request for criminal history records must be accompanied by the individual's fingerprints. The legislation also updates definitions in existing public health laws to explicitly include maintenance employees, ensuring that these workers are subject to the same criminal background screening processes as other direct care employees. This bill aims to enhance the safety of residents in residential care facilities by providing more comprehensive background checks for all types of employees who work in these settings.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4596