February 2, 2006

Governor’s call prompted legislative action on background checks
  
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that she will sign legislation she called for last year to strengthen criminal background checks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and applauded the Legislature for taking quick action.
 
“I am pleased that the Legislature answered our call to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens by expanding the current background check requirements,” Granholm said.  “These new protections will ensure that long-term care facilities are safe for the citizens who call them home.”
  
In September 2005, Granholm stood with health care providers and a bipartisan group of legislators to call for improved safety standards in long-term care facilities by requiring background checks for all new employees. 
 
“The legislative package the Governor will sign puts Michigan ahead of the curve at the national level by requiring federal checks of all employees who have direct access to elderly and disabled patients,” said Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).
  
MDCH has already received $5 million in federal monies to implement the proposed background-check system.  In order to participate in the grant, Michigan needed strong laws that required background checks on individuals who provide direct care services to individuals in a long-term care facility.  The background check must be conducted prior to an individual’s employment or conditional employment. 
 
Michigan will incorporate most types of providers into its background-check pilot project, including skilled nursing facilities/nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals/hospitals with swing beds, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICF/MR), home health agencies, residential care and assisted living facilities, and hospices.
 
Under this legislation, background checks will now be required for new employees or contractors who have direct access to patients or provide services to patients. 

The Governor applauded the original bill sponsors – Representative Paula Zelenko (D-Burton), Representative Gary Newell (R-Saranac), and Representative Michael Murphy (D-Lansing) for standing with her on this issue from the beginning and said she will sign all of the bills in the final package, including House Bill 5168, sponsored by Zelenko; House Bill 5448, sponsored by Representative Barb VanderVeen (R-Allendale); Senate Bill 621, sponsored by Senator Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck Township); and Senate Bill 622, sponsored by Senator Tony Stamas (R-Midland).

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