The Florida Senate

435.05  Requirements for covered employees.--Except as otherwise provided by law, the following requirements shall apply to covered employees:

(1)(a)  Every person employed in a position for which employment screening is required must, within 5 working days after starting to work, submit to the employer a complete set of information necessary to conduct a screening under this section.

(b)  For level 1 screening, the employer must submit the information necessary for screening to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within 5 working days after receiving it. When required, the employer must at the same time submit sufficient information to the Department of Children and Family Services to complete a check of its records relating to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Children and Family Services will conduct searches of their records and will respond to the employer agency. The employer will inform the employee whether screening has revealed any disqualifying information.

(c)  For level 2 screening, the employer or licensing agency must submit the information necessary for screening to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within 5 working days after receiving it. When required, the employer or licensing agency must also submit sufficient information to the Department of Children and Family Services to complete a check of its records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct a search of its criminal and juvenile records and will request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation conduct a search of its records for each employee for whom the request is made. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Children and Family Services will respond to the employer or licensing agency, and the employer or licensing agency will inform the employee whether screening has revealed disqualifying information.

(d)  The person whose background is being checked must supply any missing criminal or other necessary information to the employer within 30 days after the employer makes a request for the information or be subject to automatic disqualification.

(2)  Unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, new employees may be placed on probationary status pending a determination of compliance with minimum standards set forth in this chapter.

(3)  Each employer required to conduct level 2 background screening must sign an affidavit annually, under penalty of perjury, stating that all covered employees have been screened or are newly hired and are awaiting the results of the required screening checks.

History.--s. 47, ch. 95-228; s. 208, ch. 99-8.