SB3293 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 36956 RTM 67070 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3293

Introduced 2/7/2024, by Sen. Rachel Ventura

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 46/40

Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Allows a peer recovery specialist to request a waiver from the Illinois Department of Public Health to work in the health care industry when he or she would otherwise be prohibited because of his or her criminal record.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning 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; , enrollee in a training program; , individual receiving services from a workforce intermediary or organization providing pro bono legal services; , or employee listed on the Health Care Worker Registry; or peer recovery specialist 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 may, at the discretion of the Director of Public Health, grant a waiver to an applicant, student, or employee listed on the Health Care Worker Registry. The Department of Public Health shall act upon the waiver request within 30 days of receipt of all necessary information, as defined by rule. The Department of Public Health shall send an applicant, student, or employee written notification of its decision whether to grant a waiver, including listing the specific disqualifying offenses for which the waiver is being granted or denied. The Department shall issue additional copies of this written notification upon the applicant's, student's, or employee's request.

(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. 100-432, eff. 8-25-17; 101-176, eff. 7-31-19.)