Once enacted, HB 1308 will have significant implications for the processes governing healthcare facilities in Hawaii. It stipulates that adults residing in a private home operating as a healthcare facility will only need to be fingerprinted once unless they were not living there at the time of the initial licensing. This change is expected to streamline the regulatory framework for smaller healthcare providers operating in residential settings, possibly impacting their hiring practices and operational efficiency.
Summary
House Bill 1308, introduced during the thirty-second legislature of Hawaii, pertains to the regulations surrounding fingerprinting for individuals associated with healthcare facilities. The bill amends existing statutes to limit the circumstances under which the Department of Health can require fingerprinting for applicants, operators, employees, and adult volunteers at healthcare facilities. Under this legislation, fingerprinting would only be mandated during the initial licensing or certification of the individual or facility, aiming to reduce repetitive background checks while ensuring compliance with regulations intended to safeguard client welfare.
Contention
There may be concerns related to safety and oversight raised by various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Opponents of the bill could argue that reducing the frequency of fingerprinting may compromise background checks for applicants who might pose a risk to vulnerable populations. Advocacy groups may express apprehension regarding patients' safety and the integrity of caregivers, emphasizing the importance of thorough and regular vetting processes in healthcare settings.
Allows applicants for employment in programs operated by the department involving routine contact with patients, residents, or clients without the presence of other employees to apply to a qualified vendor for a national criminal records check.
Requiring that advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurse anesthetists submit to a criminal history check upon application for a nursing license.
An Act Establishing Licensure For Long-term Acute Care Hospitals And Requiring The Department Of Public Health To Study The Designation Of Long-term Care Facilities And Chronic Disease Hospitals.