New Hampshire House Bill HB1659

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/30/21
• Refer: 12/30/21
• Report Pass: 2/10/22
• Engrossed: 3/1/22
• Refer: 3/1/22
• Report Pass: 4/14/22
• Enrolled: 5/13/22
• Chaptered: 5/24/22
• Passed: 5/24/22

Caption

Relative to criminal history background checks for certain health care workers.

Impact

The bill has the potential to streamline the hiring process for healthcare facilities by removing the exclusive requirement for the Department of Safety to conduct criminal background checks. Instead, individuals may seek checks from other authorized entities, which may expedite the hiring process. As a result, facilities can fill vacancies more promptly, thereby improving the continuity of care for residents. However, the bill continues to mandate that any individual hired in a conditionally employed capacity must be supervised and have passed relevant checks within the last year, ensuring that patient care and safety remain prioritized.

Summary

House Bill 1659 aims to modify the requirements for criminal history background checks for certain healthcare workers, particularly focusing on nursing assistants and employees in residential care facilities. The bill establishes provisions that would allow individuals awaiting the results of their criminal history checks to work temporarily while still under supervision. This is seen as a vital step to address staffing shortages in the healthcare sector, particularly within nursing and care facilities where there is often an urgent need for personnel.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB 1659 include concerns from certain lawmakers and advocacy groups regarding the adequacy of background checks. Critics argue that by allowing the use of alternative criminal record check sources, there could be a risk of less thorough vetting, potentially compromising the safety of vulnerable populations in care facilities. Supporters, however, contend that the bill represents a necessary flexibility in the hiring process and does not diminish safety, as it maintains necessary oversight and conditions for temporary employees.