Gov. Ducey signs legislation to strengthen background checks for nursing care facilities workers

Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation yesterday that strengthens background checks for individuals who want to work at Arizona’s nursing care facilities.

The bill was among 19 bills signed into law March 18 by the governor.

“Our nursing homes and assisted living facilities deserve accountability and leadership from their supervisors,” said Ducey. “SB 1242 accomplishes this. Our seniors – grandmothers, grandfathers and family members – deserve nothing less to ensure their safety, happiness and health.”

Senate Bill (SB) 1242, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Pace of Mesa, enhances background checks for licensure through the Nursing Care Institutions and Assisted Living Facilities (NCIA). Proper vetting of the managers and staff of these facilities is critical for the safety of the vulnerable, elderly individuals that NCIA facilities house. In addition to bolstering background checks, the bill prohibits individuals with any felony conviction involving violence or financial fraud from getting a license. The NCIA Board must work with the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish an expedited process for identifying and referring complaints between the agencies.

Bills the governor also signed will expand services for dentists, open adoption hearings to family friends, decrease regulatory burdens on nonprofits and more.

SB 1074, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Barto, expands the scope of practice for dentists to include Botox for cosmetic purposes. Dentists in Arizona are currently permitted to use Botox for medical purposes, such as a treatment for overproduction of saliva. With this bill, dentists will have more flexibility to treat their patients for cosmetic purposes as well.

SB 1069, sponsored by Sen. Barto of Phoenix, allows adoptive families to invite guests to accompany them at adoption hearings and share in the joy of adopting a child. Previously, only those with direct interest in the case could attend hearings. 

SB 1066, sponsored by Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge, decreases regulatory burdens on nonprofits and expands their ability to utilize raffles for fundraising efforts. The legislation reduces the time period that a nonprofit organization must be in continuous existence prior to conducting a raffle down from five years to one year. Lessening this regulatory burden will provide younger nonprofits with more opportunities to fundraise and thus serve the community.

SB 1275, sponsored by Sen. J.D. Mesnard of Chandler, gives local governments the ability to address noise disturbances caused by fireworks in their neighborhoods and communities. Localities are able to limit fireworks during late-night hours from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., with exceptions for New Year’s Eve and Independence Day. Fireworks may not be prohibited until after 1 a.m. on those national holidays.

“Arizona is a land of opportunity for all and we believe government shouldn’t stand in the way of that,” said Ducey. “Today’s bills strengthen that belief. My thanks goes to all the lawmakers for their continued work to serve our great state.”