The Florida Legislature this week unanimously passed a new bill that would require potential caregivers for children, seniors, and the disabled pass background checks before being hired.

Governer Charlie Crist is expected to sign the bill into law early next week following a statement issued today in support of it.

“Thoroughly screening the backgrounds of those who work with children, elders, persons with disabilities — and then verifying those screening results before employees are authorized to go to work — will no doubt improve overall public safety in the Sunshine State,” Crist said.

Prior to this bill, felons with prior convictions for rape, child abuse, and even murder were allowed to work in nursing homes and daycares as long as they made what amounts to a promise to not offend again. The state cleared more than 8,500 people with criminal records for work through this exemption system. Twenty percent of these people were re-arrested at some point after being exempted.

The new law bans sex offenders and career criminals from ever becoming caregivers as well as requires state officials to sign off on all exemptions for other felons who wish to enter the field.

Loose regulations and poor safety measures can lead to tragic consequences, especially in nursing homes and other caregiving institutions. Contact the New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 as soon as possible if you suspect someone you love has been a victim of their caregiver.