Panel passes bill to standardize background checks for direct-care workers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

The committee adopted an amendment and passed Senate Bill 186, a measure that sponsors said standardizes background checks for direct-care workers who provide hands-on services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

Sponsor Senator Missy Irvin explained the bill creates a single, uniform approach for pre-hire screening of IDD direct-care staff. The measure requires compliance with criminal history checks, offender-registry checks, adult and child abuse registry checks and a drug screen before hiring workers who will provide hands-on care or have access to clients' property. Irvin said most providers already perform these checks and that the bill aims to close gaps and remove inconsistencies across current law.

An amendment was adopted to address provider concerns and to remove language that caused confusion about drug testing requirements that already exist in current law. After no public testimony, the committee passed the bill as amended by voice vote.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair announced the measure passed.