Background checks.

Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to modify California's community care facility background check requirements would allow facilities to provisionally approve caregivers while awaiting results from out-of-state child abuse registries. Under current law, community care facilities must complete all background checks, including those from other states where applicants previously resided, before allowing individuals to work with children.

The measure establishes specific conditions for provisional approval: facilities must submit registry check requests to the Care Provider Management Bureau, verify clearance through Department of Justice and FBI databases, and ensure provisionally approved staff have only supervised contact with residents. If out-of-state registries later reveal disqualifying information, facilities must immediately remove the individual and notify state authorities within three business days.

This amendment to the California Community Care Facilities Act maintains existing requirements for comprehensive background screening while creating a pathway for facilities to onboard staff more rapidly. The measure classifies violations of these provisions as criminal offenses, expanding the scope of current penalties. Local agencies would bear implementation costs without state reimbursement, as the changes fall under constitutional provisions regarding crime-related mandates.