SCS/SB 511 - This act is designed to protect Missouri's elderly who are confined to nursing homes, acute care facilities and also those elderly persons using in-home health service providers from employees of health care providers who have been convicted of serious crimes.

Prior to hiring an applicant for a voluntary or paid position, all nursing home facilities, hospitals, in-home health care providers, health care facilities which employ nurses and nursing assistants on temporary or intermittent placement, and any entity licensed pursuant to Chapter 197, RSMo, (Medical Treatment Facility Licenses) shall request a criminal background check of the applicant and shall determine if the applicant is on the employee disqualification list. When a person applies for a paid position, the cost associated with the criminal background check shall be paid by the applicant or the provider. When a person applies for a voluntary position, the cost associated with the criminal background check shall be paid by the provider. Failure to obtain these background checks will be a Class A misdemeanor.
RONALD J. LEONE