Heads Up, Florida Healthcare Professionals: New Background Screening Law (HB 975) is Here!
Big news for Florida’s healthcare community! A new law, HB 975 (Chapter 2024-243), brings crucial updates. It expands background screening requirements. This impacts many healthcare professionals, including those in the dental field. You’ll want to know what’s changing.
For many, this means a first-time Level 2 background screening. This fingerprint-based check is now standard. The goal is to enhance public safety. It also aims to build trust in healthcare practitioners.
Who is Affected?
This law applies to licensed healthcare practitioners. If the Florida Department of Health licenses you, it affects you. This includes dentists and dental hygienists. Chapter 466 of Florida Statutes specifically includes them. New applicants and existing licensees must comply.
However, some vital team members are not directly affected. Dental assistants, for example, are not state-licensed. Therefore, these new screening provisions don’t apply to them for licensure. Keep in mind, individual office policies may still require background checks for hiring. Similarly, medical assistants are not licensed in Florida. HB 975 won’t directly affect them. Their supervisors, however, will be screened.
What You Need to Know: New Requirements
All affected professionals must submit fingerprints. This is for a state and federal criminal history check conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This process is often referred to as a Level 2 background screening.
If you’re a new applicant, listen up. Applying for a license on or after July 1, 2025, requires this background screening as part of your application process. For existing licensees, the rule is different. If licensed before July 1, 2025, and you haven’t previously undergone a Level 2 background screening for your Florida license, you will need to do so at your next license renewal that occurs on or after July 1, 2025.
Key Date: July 1, 2025
This date marks the effective start of these changes. The Department of Health will not renew your license if this screening hasn’t been completed. Failure to complete it prevents licensure. This could lead to delays or expiration.
Additional Information on HB 975
The new law aims to streamline and strengthen the screening process. It adds new offenses that could disqualify someone from holding a healthcare license. These Level 2 background checks are required for those working in AHCA-licensed facilities and for Medicaid Provider Enrollment. Individuals with disqualifying offenses may need to obtain an exemption from the appropriate state agency. While some professions like emergency medical technicians and paramedics are exempt from fingerprint retention requirements, this generally applies unless they are applying through the military active-duty spouse licensure pathway. Compliance with this new law is essential to maintain licensure and continue practicing.
What Should Your Office Do?
Inform your licensed staff now. Make sure they understand these requirements and the timeline. Encourage them to plan ahead. The screening process takes time. Advise staff to start their checks well in advance of their renewal deadline. Stay updated by keeping an eye on communications from the Florida Board of Dentistry and the Department of Health (you can check flhealthsource.gov/background-screening/) for any further guidance or specific instructions as the implementation date approaches. This law strengthens the screening process statewide. Understanding it now ensures a smooth transition for all affected team members.