Text Size
Print
Email
National News
- Text Size
- Print
- Email
Fingerprint-based criminal background check legislation for Colorado health care professionals passe
Colorado is one of only six states that doesn’t require doctors to undergo criminal records checks for licensure and one of five states that doesn’t have that requirement for nurses.
Spurred on by concerns that dangerous criminals are getting hired to care for ill, disabled and frail patients, legislation that would require fingerprint-based criminal background checks for health care professionals in Colorado passed key hurdles this month.
House Bill 17-1121, sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, recently cleared two key House committees and appears headed to the Senate for final consideration. The House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee and the House Finance Committee both gave their blessing to the legislation, which would require more than 160,000 health care workers in Colorado to submit their fingerprints for criminal records checks.
The legislation would affect nurses, medical doctors, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, certified nurse aides, optometrists, physician assistants, podiatrists and veterinarians. If signed into law, the bill would require current licensees and certificate holders and future applicants for licensure or certification to come under the fingerprint check system.
Instituting fingerprint-based records checks would bring Colorado in line with most states. Colorado is one of only six states that doesn’t require doctors to undergo criminal records checks for licensure and one of five states that doesn’t have that requirement for nurses.
Buckner said she’s confident the Democratic-controlled House will pass the legislation, but she’s concerned the Republican-controlled Senate could be a tougher sell. Republicans might object to any extra regulation, but seniors, a key constituency, are enthusiastic supporters, she said.
2024 The Background Investigator. All Rights Reserved.