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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>77692</law_id><section_number>32.1-126.01</section_number><catch_line>Employment for compensation of persons convicted of barrier crimes prohibited; criminal records check required; suspension or revocation of license</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-389</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="32.1">Health</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5">Regulation of Medical Care Facilities and Services</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Hospital and Nursing Home Licensure and Inspection</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A licensed <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> shall not hire for compensated employment <span class="dictionary">persons</span> who have been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">offense</span> set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier <span class="dictionary">crime</span> in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled" href="/19.2-392.02/">19.2-392.02</a>. However, a licensed <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> may hire an applicant who has been convicted of one such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> punishable as a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> that does not involve abuse or neglect if five years have elapsed following the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>.
			Any <span class="dictionary">person</span> desiring to work at a licensed <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> shall provide the hiring facility with a sworn statement or affirmation disclosing any criminal <span class="dictionary">convictions</span> or any pending criminal charges, whether within or outside the Commonwealth. Any <span class="dictionary">person</span> making a materially false statement when providing such sworn statement or affirmation regarding any such <span class="dictionary">offense</span> is guilty upon <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. Further dissemination of the information provided pursuant to this section is prohibited other than to a federal or state authority or <span class="dictionary">court</span> as may be required to comply with an express requirement of <span class="dictionary">law</span> for such further dissemination.
			A <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> shall, within 30 days of employment, obtain for any compensated employees an original criminal record clearance with respect to <span class="dictionary">convictions</span> for <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">person</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>. If an applicant is denied employment because of <span class="dictionary">convictions</span> appearing on his criminal history record, the <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">person</span> who has received a clearance pursuant to this section. <a id="paragraph-278684" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-126.01/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A <span class="dictionary">person</span> who complies in good faith with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for any civil <span class="dictionary">damages</span> for any act or omission in the performance of duties under this section unless the act or omission was the result of gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> or willful misconduct. <a id="paragraph-278685" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-126.01/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A licensed <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span> shall notify and provide to all students a copy of the provisions of this section prior to or upon enrollment in a certified nurse aide program operated by such <span class="dictionary">nursing home</span>. <a id="paragraph-278686" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-126.01/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1992, c. 844; 1993, cc. 17, 657; 1999, c. 637; 2001, c. 329; 2003, c. 517; 2006, cc. 701, 764; 2012, c. 383; 2014, c. 129; 2017, c. 809.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
