Starting August 1, a new law will demand staff who care for family, the elderly, and the disabled in the disorder of Florida to undergo stricter background checks.

According to a report in the Sun Sentinel, House Bill 7069, passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed by Governor Charlie Crist, closes loopholes in the background check process for those seeking jobs with family, seniors, and the disabled and would demand that caregivers start work with vulnerable residents only after a background check is perfect and the applicant is found to be qualified.

The law follows a 2009 series by the Sun-Sentinel newspaper, “Trust Betrayed,” that exposed gaps in Florida’s background check system. According to the Sun Sentinel – the newspaper that conducted a six-month investigation that found convicted felons with records for rape, child abuse, and murder had been hired as caregivers – employees of day care centers, helped living facilities, home affect care agencies, and others working with family and vulnerable adults will have to pass a nationwide background check before they can start working under the law.

In the “Trust Betrayed” series, the Sun Sentinel revealed that outdated laws allowable employees to start working before a background check was made, and people with criminal histories could still work by obtaining an exemption stating they were rehabilitated. the disorder of Florida had granted exemptions to extra than 8,700 people with criminal records – including registered sex offenders and convicted murderers – and that 20 percent were re-arrested, including some after being considered not a danger to family or vulnerable adults.

For extra in rank about background checks, and updates on states laws like the new law strengthening background checks for caregivers in Florida, visit Employment Screening Resources (ESR) at http://www.esrcheck.com.

Sources:

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-06-01/news/fl-background-screening-law-20100531_1_vulnerable-adults-caregivers-new-law

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=552470.DOCX&DocumentType=Amendments&BillNumber=7069&Session=2010

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/orl-special-trustbetrayed,1,1351488.htmlpage