CS/CS/HB 531 — Public Education of Background Screening Requirements
by Health Care Budget Subcommittee; Human Services Subcommittee; and Reps. Hunschofsky, Trabulsy and others (CS/SB 614 by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and Senator Polsky)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), in consultation with all specified agencies, to develop and maintain a user-friendly, public-facing webpage to serve as a centralized hub for education and awareness of the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and state background screening processes and standards. The webpage must maintain up to date information and explain the background screening process through the clearinghouse, Level 2 screening requirements, fingerprinting procedures, and include a searchable job catalog, disqualifying offenses, exemption steps, and a downloadable checklist with timelines and details of the process.
Additionally, the bill requires all specified agencies to prominently link to this resource from their websites and require the inclusion of the link in all job postings by qualified entities. The webpage must be active by January 1, 2026 and must be updated annually by October 1.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 107-0