Indiana Legislation Would Require Nurse Background Checks

In response to Indiana's governor's decision not to pursue federal matching grants for nursing home background checks, a state senator is introducing legislation that would mandate the checks in all settings.

Senator Patricia Miller's proposed legislation would require healthcare employers to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks. Any information about nurse criminal records that is discovered would also have to be reported to state licensing officials.

Currently, Indiana relies on its 120,000 nurses to self-report criminal history when renewing their licenses. While details of the plan are still emerging, it has been mentioned that one way to help offset the cost of the program is to have nurses help pay for the checks through licensing fees.