EmployeeScreenIQ

The State of Michigan is doing its part to help the elderly by requiring those who work with them to undergo background checks.

As of April, Michigan has required any newly-hired employee who works with older adults in long-term care to complete criminal background checks, according to an article by Advanceweb.

The measure was implemented in response to a rising problem the state is facing with healthcare abuse. A recent study by Michigan State University found that 40 percent of people in long-term care facilities experience some sort of abuse, including physical, verbal or emotional.

Prior to the new law, Michigan only conducted background checks on employees who worked directly with people in nursing homes, county medical care facilities, homes for the elderly and adult foster care facilities. The new law requires background checks for anyone in the field, adding those in psychiatric hospitals, hospices, home-health programs and long-term care facilities.

The law sets a timetable for which people will have to wait to work in the field in case they've been found guilty of committing a crime. For example, anyone guilty of larceny, retail fraud in the second or third degree would face a one-year penalty. In comparison, anyone who commits Medicaid fraud or drug dealing would face a lifetime ban.

Within the first four weeks after the law was passed, 70 prospective employees were found to have criminal pasts.

Supporters of the new law say background checks are critical in order to keep the elderly safe, but some naysayers believe the new law will diminish the number of people who want to work in the long-term elderly care field.

In January 2005, Michigan received federal approval as one of seven states selected to participate in the federal background check pilot program. Other funded states include Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

Labels: Background checks