As of March 20, many new medical professionals have been allowed to operate without a fingerprint criminal background check. This is due to the closure of fingerprint offices in Georgia. However, name-based background checks are still being conducted, and those with pending fingerprints should be placed under general supervision.
Press Release:
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND CHECKS
MARCH 25, 2020
Rule Variance for Fingerprint Criminal Background Checks: Chapter 111-8-12-.06(3)(a)
Applicable to:
- Adult Day Centers
- Assisted Living Communities
- Home Health Agencies
- Hospices
- Intermediate Care Homes
- Nursing Homes
- Personal Care Homes
- Private Home Care Providers
Effective March 20, 2020, due to the closure of fingerprint locations and social distancing directives, under the authority of the March 20, 2020, Executive Order issued by Governor Kemp, the Department is extending the grace period for fingerprint criminal background checks, as follows:
All individuals (new owners, new administrators and new direct access employees) subject to fingerprint criminal background check requirements may work immediately, under general supervision, once the facility has (1) entered the individual in the Georgia Criminal Background Check System (GCHEXS); and (2) completed all of the screening requirements (such as registry checks, normal employment processes, etc.) except for the fingerprinting itself. The fingerprinting and final determination (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) may be delayed until the State of Emergency is lifted.
This grace period will extend for the period of the State of Emergency as declared by the Governor on March 14, 2020.
General, rather than direct, supervision of the individual with the pending fingerprint check will be acceptable during this grace period.
Unless other federal waivers are issued, nursing homes must continue to comply with federal regulations that require a name-based background check prior to beginning work in the facility.
More information on this change will be posted on the department’s website:
