HB0762enr 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0762 Enrolled LRB096 08663 ASK 18787 b

AN ACT concerning professional regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Health Care Worker Background Check Act is amended by changing Section 40 as follows:

(225 ILCS 46/40)

Sec. 40. Waiver.

(a) Any student, applicant, or employee listed on the Health Care Worker Registry may request a waiver of the prohibition against employment by:

(1) completing a waiver application on a form prescribed by the Department of Public Health;

(2) providing a written explanation of each conviction to include (i) what happened, (ii) how many years have passed since the offense, (iii) the individuals involved, (iv) the age of the applicant at the time of the offense, and (v) any other circumstances surrounding the offense; and

(3) providing official documentation showing that all fines have been paid, if applicable and except for in the instance of payment of court-imposed fines or restitution in which the applicant is adhering to a payment schedule, and the date probation or parole was satisfactorily completed, if applicable.

(b) The applicant may, but is not required to, submit employment and character references and any other evidence demonstrating the ability of the applicant or employee to perform the employment responsibilities competently and evidence that the applicant or employee does not pose a threat to the health or safety of residents, patients, or clients.

(c) The Department of Public Health must inform health care employers if a waiver is being sought by entering a record on the Health Care Worker Registry that a waiver is pending and must act upon the waiver request within 30 days of receipt of all necessary information, as defined by rule. Except in cases where a rehabilitation waiver is granted, a letter shall be sent to the applicant notifying the applicant that he or she has received an automatic waiver.

(d) An individual shall not be employed from the time that the employer receives a notification from the Department of Public Health based upon the results of a fingerprint-based criminal history records check containing disqualifying conditions until the time that the individual receives a waiver.

(e) The entity responsible for inspecting, licensing, certifying, or registering the health care employer and the Department of Public Health shall be immune from liability for any waivers granted under this Section.

(f) A health care employer is not obligated to employ or offer permanent employment to an applicant, or to retain an employee who is granted a waiver under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-665, eff. 1-1-06; 95-120, eff. 8-13-07; 95-545, eff. 8-28-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.