HB 186 -- Comprehensive Employee Information System

Sponsor:  Ladd Stokan

This bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop
and place in operation by December 31, 2000, a comprehensive
employee information system capable of merging with existing
employee disqualification lists, substantiated elder abuse
files, the child protection system central registry, and
information from the Highway Patrol's criminal background check
system.  The information system will also include licensure,
certification, and state contract status for requests made by
health care providers, child care providers, elder care
providers, educational institutions, and caregivers for persons
with physical or mental disabilities.  The comprehensive
employee information system requires law enforcement and all
state agencies with pertinent information to cooperate and
provide information to the system.  The data in the system will
be available to employers, state agencies, or volunteer
organizations that provide health care, education, child care,
elder care, adoption services, private home care, and care of
persons with physical or mental disabilities.  Congregate living
facilities may also access the system.

The bill also:

(1)  Requires the Department of Public Safety to develop
reasonable rules for accessing the information, including a
signed release.  The Department must complete in-person
inquiries within 6 business hours and other inquiries within 3
business days;

(2)  Establishes a class C misdemeanor for unauthorized access
to the system;

(3)  Specifies that a health care provider's duty to conduct
employee background checks under section 660.317 is satisfied if
the provider requests information through the comprehensive
employee information system;

(4)  Requires the Department of Social Services to develop rules
allowing the hiring restrictions of section 660.317 to be waived
for good cause.  To waive the restrictions, the department must
examine the employee's prior work history and determine that the
employee does not present a risk to the safety of residents; and

(5)  Clarifies that no entity is required to use the system and
no individual is required to submit to a check through the
system.