RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Changed the term 'direct patient access worker' to 'direct patient access employee' throughout the text to ensure consistent and modern terminology.

Updated the effective date of the Act from July 1, 3000, to January 1, 2050.

Adjusted internal document identifiers, revision numbers, and metadata fields to reflect the bill's transition from the House to the Senate.

Background checks are now split into two requirements: a one-time fingerprint-based check and a recurring name-based check, replacing the previous single check model.

A new exemption was added stating that individuals working at hospitals licensed under section 321-14.5 do not need a fingerprint-based check if they have already submitted fingerprints for licensure.

The Department of Health is now authorized to conduct the background checks itself, whereas the previous version allowed applicants or operators to conduct them.

Volunteers and adults living in private residence healthcare facilities are now explicitly included as subjects of background checks.

The term 'Direct patient access employee' was changed to 'Direct patient access worker' to explicitly include volunteers, and the definition now excludes those with only incidental or supervised access.

The list of covered healthcare facilities was modified by removing 'rural health center' from the definition of 'Healthcare facility'.

The grounds for license revocation were updated to specifically reference the new fingerprint-based and name-based background check results.

Responsibility for conducting background checks was transferred from the Department of Health to applicants, operators, and third-party employers.

A new definition for 'third-party employer' was added to clarify that staffing agencies and contractors must ensure background checks are completed.

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 3000.

Enforcement provisions were updated to reflect that applicants and operators must obtain written certification from third-party employers regarding completed background checks.

Several formatting and punctuation errors in the definitions and statutory text were corrected.

Added a specific definition for 'direct patient access employee' to include support staff such as housekeeping, dietary, and activities personnel who have direct contact with patients.

Added a requirement for biennial name-based background checks for all direct patient access employees and adults living in private residence facilities.

Added a requirement for an initial one-time fingerprint-based background check for all applicants and operators.

Removed the requirement for annual name inquiries for all applicants and operators, replacing it with specific biennial and one-time requirements.

Modified the list of required background checks to explicitly include out-of-state records only if the individual has lived or worked in another state since their last check.

Created exemptions from fingerprint-based checks for hospital staff and licensed physicians/physician assistants credentialed by hospitals.

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to July 1, 2026.