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H.B. 64

             1     

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR

             2     
PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS

             3     
2005 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Fred R. Hunsaker

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends the Human Services Code and the Judicial Code to provide for a
             10      criminal background check of a personal care attendant who receives public funds for
             11      the personal care attendant's services.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines terms;
             15          .    provides the Department of Human Services with access to records to determine
             16      whether a personal care attendant is listed in the:
             17              .    Licensing Information System of the Division of Child and Family Services;
             18              .    juvenile court records as having a substantiated finding of severe child abuse or
             19      neglect; or
             20              .    statewide database of the Division of Aging and Adult Services as having a
             21      substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult;
             22          .    provides that the Department of Human Services may inform a client, or the client's
             23      agent, of the status of a personal care attendant in the records described above;
             24          .    prohibits the Division of Aging and Adult Services and an area agency on aging
             25      from disbursing public funds to a personal care attendant, unless the personal care
             26      attendant successfully completes a background check;
             27          .    requires the Office of Licensing in the Department of Human Services to conduct a


             28      background check of a personal care attendant who desires to receive public funds; and
             29          .    makes technical changes.
             30      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             31          None
             32      Other Special Clauses:
             33          None
             34      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             35      AMENDS:
             36          62A-2-121, as last amended by Chapter 86, Laws of Utah 2004
             37          62A-2-122, as enacted by Chapter 300, Laws of Utah 2002
             38          62A-3-101, as last amended by Chapter 8, Laws of Utah 2002, Fifth Special Session
             39          62A-3-104, as last amended by Chapter 352, Laws of Utah 2004
             40          62A-3-104.1, as last amended by Chapter 254, Laws of Utah 1998
             41          62A-4a-116.2, as last amended by Chapter 86, Laws of Utah 2004
             42          78-3a-320, as last amended by Chapter 210, Laws of Utah 2003
             43      ENACTS:
             44          62A-3-104.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45     
             46      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             47          Section 1. Section 62A-2-121 is amended to read:
             48           62A-2-121. Access to abuse and neglect information.
             49          (1) For purposes of this section, "personal care attendant" is as defined in Section
             50      62A-3-101 .
             51          [(1)] (2) With respect to a human services [licensees] licensee, or a personal care
             52      attendant, the department may access only the Licensing Information System of the Division of
             53      Child and Family Services created by Section 62A-4a-116.2 and juvenile court records under
             54      Subsection 78-3a-320 [(4)](6), for the purpose of:
             55          (a) (i) determining whether a person associated with a licensee, with direct access to
             56      children[,]:
             57          (A) is listed in the Licensing Information System; or
             58          (B) has a substantiated finding by a juvenile court of a severe type of child abuse or


             59      neglect under Subsections 78-3a-320 (1) and (2); and
             60          [(b)] (ii) informing a licensee that a person associated with the licensee:
             61          (A) is listed in the Licensing Information System; or
             62          (B) has a substantiated finding by a juvenile court of a severe type of child abuse or
             63      neglect under Subsections 78-3a-320 (1) and (2)[.]; or
             64          (b) (i) determining whether a personal care attendant:
             65          (A) is listed in the Licensing Information System; or
             66          (B) has a substantiated finding by a juvenile court of a severe type of child abuse or
             67      neglect under Subsections 78-3a-320 (1) and (2); and
             68          (ii) informing a person described in Subsections 62A-3-101 (9)(a)(i) through (iv) that a
             69      personal care attendant:
             70          (A) is listed in the Licensing Information System; or
             71          (B) has a substantiated finding by a juvenile court of a severe type of child abuse or
             72      neglect under Subsections 78-3a-320 (1) and (2).
             73          [(2)] (3) Notwithstanding Subsection [(1)] (2), the department may access the Division
             74      of Child and Family Service's Management Information System under Section 62A-4a-116 for
             75      the purpose of licensing and monitoring foster parents.
             76          [(3)] (4) After receiving identifying information for a person under Subsection
             77      62A-2-120 (1), the department shall process the information for the purposes described in
             78      Subsection [(1)] (2).
             79          [(4)] (5) The department shall adopt rules under Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             80      Administrative Rulemaking Act, consistent with this chapter, defining the circumstances under
             81      which a person [who has] may have direct access or provide services to children [and who]
             82      when:
             83          (a) the person is listed in the Licensing Information System [or has] of the Division of
             84      Child and Family Services created by Section 62A-4a-116.2 ; or
             85          (b) juvenile court records show that a court made a substantiated finding [by a court of]
             86      under Section 78-3a-320 , that the person committed a severe type of child abuse or neglect
             87      [under Subsections 78-3a-320 (1) and (2) may provide services to children].
             88          Section 2. Section 62A-2-122 is amended to read:
             89           62A-2-122. Access to vulnerable adult abuse and neglect information.


             90          (1) For purposes of this section, "personal care attendant" is as defined in Section
             91      62A-3-101 .
             92          [(1)] (2) With respect to a human services [licensees] licensee, or a personal care
             93      attendant, the department may access the data base created by Section 62A-3-311.1 for the
             94      purpose of:
             95          (a) (i) determining whether a person associated with a licensee, with direct access to
             96      vulnerable adults, has a substantiated finding of:
             97          (A) abuse[,];
             98          (B) neglect[,]; or
             99          (C) exploitation; and
             100          [(b)] (ii) informing a licensee that a person associated with the licensee has a
             101      substantiated finding of:
             102          (A) abuse[,];
             103          (B) neglect[,]; or
             104          (C) exploitation[.]; or
             105          (b) (i) determining whether a personal care attendant has a substantiated finding of:
             106          (A) abuse;
             107          (B) neglect; or
             108          (C) exploitation; and
             109          (ii) informing a person described in Subsections 62A-3-101 (9)(a)(i) through (iv) that a
             110      personal care attendant has a substantiated finding of:
             111          (A) abuse;
             112          (B) neglect; or
             113          (C) exploitation.
             114          [(2)] (3) After receiving identifying information for a person under Subsection
             115      62A-2-120 (1), the department shall process the information for the purposes described in
             116      Subsection (1).
             117          [(3)] (4) The department shall adopt rules under Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             118      Administrative Rulemaking Act, consistent with this chapter and consistent with Section
             119      62A-3-311.1 , defining the circumstances under which a person [who has] may have direct
             120      access or provide services to vulnerable adults [and who has a substantiated finding of abuse,


             121      neglect, or exploitation may provide services to vulnerable adults] when the person is listed in
             122      the statewide database of the Division of Aging and Adult Services created by Section
             123      62A-3-311.1 as having a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
             124          Section 3. Section 62A-3-101 is amended to read:
             125           62A-3-101. Definitions.
             126          As used in this chapter:
             127          (1) "Adult" or "high risk adult" means a person 18 years of age or older who
             128      experiences a condition:
             129          (a) that places the person at a high risk of being unable to care for himself[,]:
             130          (i) as determined by assessment[, because of]; and
             131          (ii) due to the onset of a physical or cognitive impairment or frailty; and
             132          (b) for which the person is not eligible to receive services under:
             133          (i) Chapter 5, Services to People with Disabilities[,]; or
             134          (ii) Chapter 15, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Act.
             135          (2) "Aging" and "aged" means a person 60 years of age or older.
             136          (3) "Area agency" means an area agency that provides services to the aged, high risk
             137      adults, or both within a planning and service area.
             138          (4) "Area agency on aging" means a public or private nonprofit agency or office
             139      designated by the division to:
             140          (a) operate within a planning and service area of the state [to]; and
             141          (b) develop and implement a broad range of services for the aged in [that area] the area
             142      described in Subsection (4)(a).
             143          (5) "Area agency on high risk adults" means a public or private nonprofit agency or
             144      office designated by the division to:
             145          (a) operate within a planning and service area of the state [to]; and
             146          (b) develop and implement services for high risk adults in [that area] the area described
             147      in Subsection (5)(a).
             148          (6) "Board" means the Board of Aging and Adult Services.
             149          (7) "Director" means the director of the [Division of Aging and Adult Services]
             150      division.
             151          (8) "Division" means the Division of Aging and Adult Services within the department.


             152          (9) "Personal care attendant" means a person who:
             153          (a) is selected by:
             154          (i) an aged person;
             155          (ii) an agent of an aged person;
             156          (iii) a high risk adult; or
             157          (iv) an agent of a high risk adult; and
             158          (b) provides personal services to the:
             159          (i) aged person described in Subsection (9)(a)(i); or
             160          (ii) high risk adult described in Subsection (9)(a)(iii).
             161          (10) "Personal services" means nonmedical care and support, including assisting a
             162      person with:
             163          (a) meal preparation;
             164          (b) eating;
             165          (c) bathing;
             166          (d) dressing;
             167          (e) personal hygiene; or
             168          (f) daily living activities.
             169          [(9)] (11) "Planning and service area" means a geographical area of the state designated
             170      by the division for purposes of planning, development, delivery, and overall administration of
             171      services for the aged or high risk adults.
             172          (12) (a) "Public funds" means state or federal funds that are disbursed by:
             173          (i) the Department of Health;
             174          (ii) the division;
             175          (iii) an area agency; or
             176          (iv) an area agency on aging.
             177          (b) "Public funds" includes:
             178          (i) Medicaid funds; and
             179          (ii) Medicaid waiver funds.
             180          Section 4. Section 62A-3-104 is amended to read:
             181           62A-3-104. Authority of division.
             182          (1) The division is the sole state agency, as defined by the Older Americans Act of


             183      1965, 42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq., to:
             184          (a) serve as an effective and visible advocate for the aging and adult population of this
             185      state[, to];
             186          (b) develop and administer a state plan under the policy direction of the board[,]; and
             187      [to]
             188          (c) take primary responsibility for state activities relating to provisions of the Older
             189      Americans Act of 1965, as amended.
             190          (2) (a) The division has authority to designate:
             191          (i) planning and service areas for the state[,]; and [to designate]
             192          (ii) an area agency on aging within each planning and service area to design and
             193      implement a comprehensive and coordinated system of services and programs for the aged
             194      within appropriations from the Legislature.
             195          (b) Designation as an area agency on aging may be withdrawn:
             196          (i) upon request of the area agency on aging; or
             197          (ii) upon noncompliance with the provisions of the:
             198          (A) Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.[, the];
             199          (B) federal regulations enacted under [that act, the] the Older Americans Act of 1965,
             200      42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.;
             201          (C) provisions of this chapter[,]; or [the]
             202          (D) rules, policies, or procedures established by the division.
             203          (3) (a) The division has the authority to designate:
             204          (i) planning and service areas for the state; and [to designate]
             205          (ii) subject to Subsection (3)(b), an area agency on high risk adults within each
             206      planning and service area [in accordance with Subsection (3)(b)] to design and implement a
             207      comprehensive and coordinated system of case management and programs for high risk adults
             208      within appropriations from the Legislature.
             209          (b) [Before] For purposes of Subsection (3)(a)(ii), before October 1, 1998, the division
             210      shall designate as the area agency on high risk adults in a planning and service area:
             211          (i) the area agency on aging that operates within the same geographic area if that
             212      agency [has requested] requests, before July 1, 1998, to expand [its] that agency's current
             213      contract with the division to include the responsibility of:


             214          (A) being the area agency on high risk adults; or
             215          (B) operating the area agency on high risk adults:
             216          (I) through joint cooperation with one or more existing area agencies on aging; and
             217          (II) without reducing geographical coverage in any service area; or
             218          (ii) a public or private nonprofit agency or office if the area agency on aging that
             219      operates within the same geographic area has not made a request in accordance with Subsection
             220      (3)(b)(i).
             221          (c) (i) Area agencies on high risk adults shall be in operation before July 1, 1999.
             222          (ii) The division's efforts to establish area agencies on high risk adults shall start with
             223      counties with a population of more than 150,000 people.
             224          (d) Designation as an area agency on high risk adults may be withdrawn:
             225          (i) upon request by the area agency; or
             226          (ii) upon noncompliance with:
             227          (A) state [or] law;
             228          (B) federal [laws,] law; or
             229          (C) rules, policies, or procedures established by the division.
             230          (4) (a) The division may, by following the procedures and requirements of Title 63,
             231      Chapter 38e, Federal Funds Procedures[,]:
             232          (i) seek federal grants, loans, or participation in federal programs; and
             233          (ii) receive and distribute state and federal funds for the division's programs and
             234      services to the aging and adult populations of the state.
             235          (b) The division may not disburse public funds to a personal care attendant as payment
             236      for personal services rendered to an aged person or high risk adult, except as provided in
             237      Section 62A-3-104.3 .
             238          (5) The division has authority to establish, either directly or by contract, programs of
             239      advocacy, monitoring, evaluation, technical assistance, and public education to enhance the
             240      quality of life for aging and adult citizens of the state.
             241          (6) In accordance with the rules of the division and Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah
             242      Procurement Code, the division may contract with:
             243          (a) [contract with] the governing body of an area agency to provide a comprehensive
             244      program of services; [and] or


             245          (b) [contract with] public and private entities for special services.
             246          (7) The division has authority to provide for collection, compilation, and dissemination
             247      of information, statistics, and reports relating to issues facing aging and adult citizens.
             248          (8) The division has authority to prepare and submit reports regarding the operation
             249      and administration of the division to the department, the Legislature, and the governor, as
             250      requested.
             251          (9) The division shall:
             252          (a) implement and enforce policies established by the board governing all aspects of
             253      the division's programs for aging and adult persons in the state;
             254          (b) in order to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal statutes, policies,
             255      and procedures, monitor and evaluate programs provided by or under contract with:
             256          (i) the division[,];
             257          (ii) area agencies[,]; and [any]
             258          (iii) an entity that receives funds from an area agency [to ensure compliance with all
             259      applicable state and federal statutes, policies, and procedures];
             260          (c) examine expenditures of public funds;
             261          (d) withhold funds from programs based on contract noncompliance;
             262          (e) review and approve plans of area agencies in order to ensure:
             263          (i) compliance with division policies; and [to ensure]
             264          (ii) a statewide comprehensive program;
             265          (f) in order to further programs for aging and adult persons and prevent duplication of
             266      services, promote and establish cooperative relationships with:
             267          (i) state and federal agencies[,];
             268          (ii) social and health agencies[,];
             269          (iii) education and research organizations[,]; and
             270          (iv) other related groups [in order to further programs for aging and adult persons, and
             271      prevent duplication of services];
             272          (g) advocate for the aging and adult populations;
             273          (h) promote and conduct research on the problems and needs of aging and adult
             274      persons[, and];
             275          (i) submit recommendations for changes in policies, programs, and funding to the:


             276          (i) governor; and [the]
             277          (ii) Legislature; and
             278          [(i)] (j) (i) accept contributions to and administer the funds contained in the "Out and
             279      About" Homebound Transportation Assistance Fund created in Section 62A-3-110 ; and
             280          (ii) make rules in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             281      Rulemaking Act, to facilitate the administration of the "Out and About" Homebound
             282      Transportation Assistance Fund in accordance with Section 62A-3-110 .
             283          Section 5. Section 62A-3-104.1 is amended to read:
             284           62A-3-104.1. Powers and duties of area agencies.
             285          (1) An area agency that provides services to [the aged,] an aged person, or a high risk
             286      [adults, or both] adult shall within [its] the area agency's respective jurisdiction:
             287          (a) advocate by monitoring, evaluating, and providing input on all policies, programs,
             288      hearings, and levies that affect [those persons] a person described in this Subsection (1);
             289          (b) design and implement a comprehensive and coordinated system of services within a
             290      designated planning and service area;
             291          (c) conduct periodic reviews and evaluations of needs and services;
             292          (d) prepare and submit to the division plans for funding and service delivery for
             293      services within the designated planning and service area;
             294          (e) establish, either directly or by contract, programs licensed under Chapter 2 of this
             295      title;
             296          (f) (i) appoint an area director[,];
             297          (ii) prescribe [his] the area director's duties[,]; and
             298          (iii) provide adequate and qualified staff to carry out the area plan described in
             299      Subsection (1)(d);
             300          (g) establish rules not contrary to policies of the board and rules of the division,
             301      regulating local services and facilities;
             302          (h) operate other services and programs funded by sources other than those
             303      administered by the division;
             304          (i) establish mechanisms to provide direct citizen input, including an area agency
             305      advisory council with a majority of members who are eligible for services from the area
             306      agency;


             307          (j) establish fee schedules; and
             308          (k) comply with the requirements and procedures of:
             309          (i) Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act[,]; and [with the requirements and
             310      procedures of]
             311          (ii) Title 51, Chapter 2, Accounting Reports from Political Subdivisions, Interlocal
             312      Organizations, and Other Local Entities Act.
             313          (2) Before disbursing any public funds, an area agency shall require that all entities
             314      receiving any public funds agree in writing that:
             315          (a) the division may examine the entity's program and financial records; and
             316          (b) the auditor of the local area agency may examine and audit the entity's program and
             317      financial records, if requested by the local area agency.
             318          (3) An area agency on aging may not disburse public funds to a personal care attendant
             319      as payment for personal services rendered to an aged person or high risk adult, except as
             320      provided in Section 62A-3-104.3 .
             321          [(3)] (4) (a) [Local area agencies] For the purpose of providing services pursuant to this
             322      part, a local area agency may receive:
             323          (i) property[,];
             324          (ii) grants[,];
             325          (iii) gifts[,];
             326          (iv) supplies[,];
             327          (v) materials[, including];
             328          (vi) any benefit derived [therefrom,] from the items described in Subsections (4)(a)(i)
             329      through (v); and
             330          (vii) contributions [for the purpose of providing services pursuant to this part].
             331          (b) If [those gifts are] a gift is conditioned upon [their] the gift's use for a specified
             332      service or program, [they shall be so used] the gift shall be used for the specific service or
             333      program.
             334          [(4)] (5) (a) Area agencies shall award all public funds in compliance with:
             335          (i) the requirements of Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah Procurement Code[,]; or [with]
             336          (ii) a county procurement ordinance that requires [similar] procurement procedures
             337      similar to those described in Subsection (5)(a)(i).


             338          (b) (i) If all initial bids on a project are rejected, the area agency shall publish a new
             339      invitation to bid.
             340          (ii) If no satisfactory bid is received by the area agency described in Subsection
             341      (5)(b)(i), when the bids received from the second invitation are opened[,] the area agency may
             342      execute a contract without requiring competitive bidding.
             343          (c) (i) An area agency need not comply with the procurement provisions of this section
             344      when it disburses public funds to [other] another governmental [entities] entity.
             345          (ii) For purposes of this Subsection (4)(c), "governmental entity" means any political
             346      subdivision or institution of higher education of the state.
             347          (d) (i) Contracts awarded by an area agency shall be for a:
             348          (A) fixed amount; and
             349          (B) limited period. [Contracts]
             350          (ii) The contracts described in Subsection (5)(d)(i) may be modified due to changes in
             351      available funding for the same contract purpose without competition.
             352          [(5)] (6) Local area agencies shall comply with [all]:
             353          (a) applicable state and federal:
             354          (i) statutes[,];
             355          (ii) policies[,]; and
             356          (iii) audit requirements[,]; and [any]
             357          (b) directives resulting from [those audits] an audit described in Subsection (6)(a)(iii).
             358          Section 6. Section 62A-3-104.3 is enacted to read:
             359          62A-3-104.3. Disbursal of public funds -- Background check of a personal care
             360      attendant.
             361          (1) For purposes of this section, "office" is as defined in Section 62A-2-101 .
             362          (2) Subject to Subsection (4), public funds may not be disbursed to a personal care
             363      attendant as payment for personal services rendered to an aged person or high risk adult, unless
             364      the personal care attendant is approved by the office to have direct access and provide services
             365      to children or vulnerable adults pursuant to Section 62A-2-120 .
             366          (3) For purposes of Subsection (2), the office shall conduct a background check of a
             367      personal care attendant:
             368          (a) who desires to receive public funds as payment for the personal services described


             369      in Subsection (2); and
             370          (b) using the same procedures established for a background check of an applicant for
             371      an initial license under Section 62A-2-120 .
             372          (4) The background check and the approval determination described in this section
             373      shall be conducted for a personal care attendant on an annual basis.
             374          Section 7. Section 62A-4a-116.2 is amended to read:
             375           62A-4a-116.2. Licensing Information System -- Contents -- Juvenile court finding
             376      -- Protected record -- Access -- Criminal penalty.
             377          (1) (a) The division shall maintain a sub-part of the Management Information System
             378      established pursuant to Section 62A-4a-116 , to be known as the Licensing Information System,
             379      to be used [solely]:
             380          (i) for licensing purposes[.]; or
             381          (ii) as otherwise specifically provided for by law.
             382          (b) The Licensing Information System shall include only the following information:
             383          [(a)] (i) the information described in Subsections 62A-4a-116.1 (1)(a) and (6)(b);
             384          [(b)] (ii) consented-to supported findings by alleged perpetrators under Subsection
             385      62A-4a-116.1 (6)(a)(iii); and
             386          [(c)] (iii) the information in the licensing part of the division's Management
             387      Information System as of May 6, 2002.
             388          (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), the department's access to information in the
             389      Management Information System for the licensure and monitoring of foster parents is governed
             390      by Sections 62A-4a-116 and 62A-2-121 .
             391          (3) [The] (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), upon receipt of a finding from the juvenile
             392      court under Section 78-3a-320 , the division shall:
             393          (i) promptly amend the Licensing Information System[, upon receipt of a finding from
             394      the juvenile court under Section 78-3a-320 ,]; and [shall enter the same]
             395          (ii) enter the information in the Management Information System. [However,]
             396          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), if a finding of unsubstantiated or without merit
             397      is appealed, the supported finding shall not be amended until the appeal is concluded.
             398          (4) (a) Information contained in the Licensing Information System is classified as a
             399      protected record under Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.


             400          (b) Notwithstanding the disclosure provisions of Title 63, Chapter 2, Government
             401      Records Access and Management Act, the information contained in the Licensing Information
             402      System may only be used or disclosed as specifically provided in this chapter and Section
             403      62A-2-121 [and].
             404          (c) The information described in Subsection (4)(b) is accessible only to:
             405          [(a)] (i) the Office of Licensing within the department[,]:
             406          (A) for licensing purposes [only]; or
             407          (B) as otherwise specifically provided for by law;
             408          [(b)] (ii) the division[, for the following purposes] to:
             409          [(i) to] (A) screen a person at the request of the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem
             410      Director[,]:
             411          (I) at the time that person seeks a paid or voluntary position with the Office of the
             412      Guardian Ad Litem Director; and
             413          (II) each year [thereafter that] after the person described in Subsection (4)(c)(ii)(A)(I)
             414      remains with that office; and
             415          [(ii) to] (B) respond to a request for information from a person whose name is listed in
             416      the Licensing Information System;
             417          [(c)] (iii) two persons designated by and within the Department of Health, only for the
             418      following purposes:
             419          [(i)] (A) licensing a child care program or provider; or
             420          [(ii)] (B) determining whether a person associated with a covered health care facility,
             421      as defined by the Department of Health by rule, who provides direct care to a child, has a
             422      supported finding of severe child abuse or neglect; and
             423          [(d)] (iv) the department, as specifically provided in this chapter.
             424          (5) The two persons designated by the Department of Health under Subsection
             425      (4)(c)(iii) shall adopt measures to:
             426          (a) protect the security of the Licensing Information System; and
             427          (b) strictly limit access to the Licensing Information System to those persons
             428      designated by statute.
             429          (6) All persons designated by statute as having access to information contained in the
             430      Licensing Information System shall receive training from the department with respect to:


             431          (a) accessing the Licensing Information System;
             432          (b) maintaining strict security; and
             433          (c) the criminal provisions of Sections 62A-4a-412 and 63-2-801 pertaining to the
             434      improper release of information.
             435          (7) (a) No person, except those authorized by this chapter, may request another person
             436      to obtain or release any other information in the Licensing Information System to screen for
             437      potential perpetrators of child abuse or neglect.
             438          (b) A person who requests information knowing that it is a violation of this Subsection
             439      (7) to do so is subject to the criminal penalty described in Sections 62A-4a-412 and 63-2-801 .
             440          Section 8. Section 78-3a-320 is amended to read:
             441           78-3a-320. Additional finding at adjudication hearing -- Petition -- Court records.
             442          (1) Upon the filing with the court of a petition under Section 78-3a-305 by the Division
             443      of Child and Family Services or any interested person informing the court, among other things,
             444      that the division has made a supported finding of one or more of the severe types of child abuse
             445      or neglect described in Subsection 62A-4a-116.1 (2), the court shall:
             446          (a) make a finding of substantiated, unsubstantiated, or without merit;
             447          (b) include the finding described in Subsection (1)(a) in a written order; and
             448          (c) deliver a certified copy of the order described in Subsection (1)(b) to the division.
             449          (2) The judicial finding under Subsection (1) shall be made:
             450          (a) as part of [or] the adjudication hearing;
             451          (b) at the conclusion of the adjudication hearing; or
             452          [(b)] (c) as part of a court order entered pursuant to a written stipulation of the parties.
             453          (3) (a) Any person described in Subsection 62A-4a-116.6 (1) may at any time file with
             454      the court a petition for removal of the person's name from the Licensing Information System.
             455          (b) At the conclusion of the hearing on the petition, the court shall:
             456          [(a)] (i) make a finding of substantiated, unsubstantiated, or without merit;
             457          [(b)] (ii) include the finding described in Subsection (1)(a) in a written order; and
             458          [(c)] (iii) deliver a certified copy of the order described in Subsection (1)(b) to the
             459      division.
             460          (4) A proceeding for adjudication of a supported finding of a nonsevere type of abuse
             461      or neglect under this section may be joined in the juvenile court with an adjudication of a


             462      severe type of abuse or neglect.
             463          (5) If a person whose name appears on the Licensing Information system prior to May
             464      6, 2002 files a petition during the time that an alleged perpetrator's application for clearance to
             465      work with children or vulnerable adults is pending, the court shall hear the matter and enter a
             466      final decision no later than 60 days after the filing of the petition.
             467          (6) For the purposes of licensing under Sections 26-21-9.5 , 26-39-105.5 , 62A-1-118 ,
             468      and for the purposes described in Section 62A-2-121 :
             469          (a) the court shall make available records of its findings under Subsections (1) and (2)
             470      for licensing purposes, only to those with statutory authority to access also the Licensing
             471      Information System created under Section 62A-4a-116.2 ; and
             472          (b) any appellate court shall make available court records of appeals from juvenile
             473      court decisions under Subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) for licensing purposes, only to those
             474      with statutory authority to access also the Licensing Information System.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-4-05 8:33 AM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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