LEGAL
Michigan Considering Mandatory Nursing Home Screenings

In response to a startling survey that revealed that one-quarter of Michigan nursing home employees who had committed crimes against patients had prior convictions for similar offenses, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would mandate pre-employment background screenings for all residential care facility applicants. The proposed legislation, S.B. 621, also would require annual background screenings for all employees of the 5,000 nursing homes operating in the state. Under the bill, a nursing home would be prohibited from employing individuals who regularly provide services to residents or patients if they have been convicted of one or both of the following:

• A felony or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony within 15 years immediately preceding the date of application for employment or clinical privileges or the execution of the contract.
• A misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery or criminal sexual conduct, or involving fraud or theft against a vulnerable adult, or a substantially similar State or Federal crime within the immediately preceding 10 years.