A. A licensed home care organization as defined in § 32.1-162.7 or any home care organization exempt from licensure under subdivision 3 a or b of § 32.1-162.8 or any licensed hospice as defined in § 32.1-162.1 shall not hire for compensated employment, persons who have been convicted of any offense set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02.
However, a home care organization or hospice may hire an applicant who has been convicted of one such offense punishable as a misdemeanor that does not involve abuse or neglect if five years have elapsed since the conviction.
Any person desiring to work at a licensed home care organization as defined in § 32.1-162.7 or any home care organization exempt from licensure under subdivision 3 a or b of § 32.1-162.8 or any licensed hospice as defined in § 32.1-162.1 shall provide the hiring facility with a sworn statement or affirmation disclosing any criminal convictions or any pending criminal charges, whether within or outside the Commonwealth. Any person making a materially false statement when providing such sworn statement or affirmation regarding any such offense is guilty upon conviction of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Further dissemination of the information provided pursuant to this section is prohibited other than to a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination.
Such home care organization or hospice shall, within 30 days of employment, obtain for any compensated employees an original criminal record clearance with respect to convictions for offenses specified in this section or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. However, no employee shall be permitted to work in a position that involves direct contact with a patient until an original criminal record clearance or original criminal history record has been received, unless such person works under the direct supervision of another employee for whom a background check has been completed in accordance with the requirements of this section. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the Commissioner. If an applicant is denied employment because of convictions appearing on his criminal history record, the home care organization or hospice shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the applicant.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to volunteers who work with the permission or under the supervision of a person who has received a clearance pursuant to this section.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a licensed home care agency, a home care organization exempt from licensure under subdivision 3 a or b of § 32.1-162.8, or any licensed hospice as defined in § 32.1-162.1 that provides services to individuals receiving services under the state plan for medical assistance services or any waiver thereto may disclose to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (i) whether a criminal history background check has been performed on an employee of the home care agency in accordance with this section and (ii) whether such person is eligible for employment.
C. A licensed home care organization as defined in § 32.1-162.7 or any home care organization exempt from licensure under subdivision 3 a or b of § 32.1-162.8 shall establish policies for maintaining a drug-free workplace, which may include drug testing when the employer has cause to believe that the person has engaged in the use of illegal drugs and periodically during the course of employment. All positive results from drug testing administered pursuant to this section shall be reported to the health regulatory boards responsible for licensing, certifying, or registering the person to practice, if any.
D. A person who complies in good faith with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission in the performance of duties under this section unless the act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
E. A licensed home care organization or hospice shall notify and provide all students a copy of the provisions of this section prior to or upon enrollment in a certified nurse aide program operated by such home care organization or hospice.
1992, c. 844; 1993, cc. 17, 657; 1999, c. 637; 2003, c. 517; 2006, cc. 701, 764; 2010, cc. 415, 790; 2012, c. 383; 2014, c. 129; 2017, c. 809; 2019, c. 89.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 5 - Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services
§ 32.1-125.01. Failing to report; penalty
§ 32.1-125.1. Inspection of hospitals by state agencies generally
§ 32.1-125.2. Disclosure of other providers of services
§ 32.1-125.4. Retaliation or discrimination against complainants
§ 32.1-125.5. Confidentiality of complainant's identity
§ 32.1-126.02. Hospital pharmacy employees; criminal records check required
§ 32.1-126.1. Asbestos inspection for hospitals
§ 32.1-126.2. Fire suppression systems required in nursing facilities and nursing homes
§ 32.1-126.3. Fire suppression systems required in hospitals
§ 32.1-126.4. Hospital standing orders or protocols for certain vaccinations
§ 32.1-126.5. Consolidation of inspections
§ 32.1-127.01. Regulations to authorize certain sanctions and guidelines
§ 32.1-127.1. Immunity from liability for routine referral for organ and tissue donation
§ 32.1-127.1:01. Record storage
§ 32.1-127.1:03. Health records privacy
§ 32.1-127.1:04. Use or disclosure of certain protected health information required
§ 32.1-127.1:05. Breach of medical information notification
§ 32.1-127.3. Immunity from liability for certain free health care services
§ 32.1-128. Applicability to hospitals and nursing homes for practice of religious tenets
§ 32.1-129. Application for license
§ 32.1-131. Expiration and renewal of licenses
§ 32.1-133. Display of license
§ 32.1-133.1. Human trafficking hotline; posted notice required; civil penalty
§ 32.1-134. Family planning information in hospitals providing maternity care
§ 32.1-134.01. Certain information required for maternity patients
§ 32.1-134.02. Infants; blood sample provided to parents
§ 32.1-134.2. Clinical privileges for certain practitioners
§ 32.1-134.3. Response to applications for clinical privileges
§ 32.1-134.4. Right of podiatrists or nurse practitioners to injunction
§ 32.1-135.1. Certain advertisements prohibited
§ 32.1-135.2. Offer or payment of remuneration in exchange for referral prohibited
§ 32.1-136. Violation; penalties
§ 32.1-137. Certification of medical care facilities under Title XVIII of Social Security Act
§ 32.1-137.01. Posting of charity care policies
§ 32.1-137.02. Hospital discharge procedures
§ 32.1-137.03. Discharge planning; designation of individual to provide care
§ 32.1-137.04. Patient notice of observation or outpatient status
§ 32.1-137.06. Lyme disease test result information
§ 32.1-137.07. Violations of certain provisions; penalty
§ 32.1-137.08. Medical care facilities; persons with disabilities; designated support persons
§ 32.1-137.09. Hospital emergency department CPT code data reporting
§ 32.1-137.010. Financial assistance; payment plans
§ 32.1-137.2. Certification of quality assurance; application; issuance; denial; renewal
§ 32.1-137.4. Examination, review or investigation
§ 32.1-137.6. Complaint system
§ 32.1-137.8. Application to and compliance by utilization review entities
§ 32.1-137.9. Requirements and standards for utilization review entities
§ 32.1-137.10. Utilization review plan required
§ 32.1-137.11. Accessibility of utilization review entity
§ 32.1-137.13. Adverse determination
§ 32.1-137.14. Reconsideration of adverse determination
§ 32.1-137.15. Adverse determination; appeal
§ 32.1-137.17. Limitation on Commissioner's jurisdiction
§ 32.1-138.1. Implementation of transfer and discharge policies
§ 32.1-138.2. Certain contract provisions prohibited
§ 32.1-138.3. Third party guarantor prohibition
§ 32.1-138.4. Retaliation or discrimination against complainants
§ 32.1-138.5. Confidentiality of complainant's identity
§ 32.1-138.7. Certificates of registration required; issuance; transferability; regulations
§ 32.1-138.8. Consultation with health regulatory boards
§ 32.1-138.9. Standards for approval
§ 32.1-138.10. Expiration; renewal
§ 32.1-138.11. Denial; revocation
§ 32.1-138.12. Waiver of requirements of article
§ 32.1-138.13. Access to and confidentiality of patient-specific medical records and information
§ 32.1-138.14. No private right of action created
§ 32.1-162.2. Exemptions from article
§ 32.1-162.3. License required for hospice programs; notice of denial of license; renewal thereof
§ 32.1-162.5:1. Notice to dispenser of patient's death; disposition of dispensed drugs
§ 32.1-162.6. Revocation or suspension of license
§ 32.1-162.6:1. Possession or administration of cannabis oil
§ 32.1-162.8. Exemptions from article
§ 32.1-162.9. Licenses required; renewal thereof
§ 32.1-162.10. Inspections; fees
§ 32.1-162.11. Liability insurance required
§ 32.1-162.13. Revocation or suspension of license
§ 32.1-162.15. Violation; penalties
§ 32.1-162.15:1. Unlawful advertising as a home care organization
§ 32.1-162.15:2. (Effective July 1, 2023) Definitions
§ 32.1-162.15:3. (Effective July 1, 2023) Services for survivors of sexual assault; plan required
§ 32.1-162.15:4. (For effective date, see Acts 2020, c 725) Treatment services
§ 32.1-162.15:5. Transfer services
§ 32.1-162.15:7. (Effective July 1, 2023) Inspections; report required
§ 32.1-162.15:9. (Effective July 1, 2023) Submission of evidence
§ 32.1-162.15:10. (Effective July 1, 2023) Complaints
§ 32.1-162.15:11. Task Force on Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault