New Law Strengthens Background Screening for Florida Caregivers

People who care for children, the elderly and disabled in Florida will undergo stricter background screening requirements under a new law that takes effect Aug. 1. Caregivers will have to pass a nationwide background check by submitting fingerprints through a live scan fingerprint submission to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI before they can begin working under the law, which was passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Charlie Crist. It applies to employees of day care centers, assisted living facilities, home health care agencies, and others working with children and vulnerable adults. Special Invited Guest Steve Belach of Cresthaven East will share how the changes will affect caregivers and his take on the new law.