Virginia Law

Article 3. Background Checks.

For purposes of this chapter, in the case of child welfare agencies and foster and adoptive homes approved by child-placing agencies, convictions for any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 shall include prior adult convictions and juvenile convictions or adjudications of delinquency based on a crime that would be a felony if committed by an adult within or outside the Commonwealth.

1985, c. 360, § 63.1-198.1; 1986, cc. 300, 627; 1987, cc. 130, 131, 692, 693; 1992, c. 746; 1993, cc. 730, 742; 1996, c. 747; 1998, cc. 551, 581; 1999, c. 740; 2001, c. 778; 2002, c. 747; 2003, c. 467; 2012, c. 383; 2016, c. 580; 2017, c. 809.

A. No assisted living facility or adult day center shall hire for compensated employment or continue to employ persons who have been convicted of any offense set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02. A child-placing agency or independent foster home licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall not hire for compensated employment or continue to employ persons who (i) have been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) are the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. All applicants for employment shall undergo background checks pursuant to subsection C.

B. A licensed assisted living facility or adult day center may hire an applicant or continue to employ a person convicted of one misdemeanor barrier crime not involving abuse or neglect, or any substantially similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, if five years have elapsed following the conviction.

C. Background checks pursuant to subsection A require:

1. A sworn statement or affirmation disclosing whether the person has a criminal conviction or is the subject of any pending criminal charges within or outside the Commonwealth and, in the case of licensed child-placing agencies or independent foster homes, whether or not the person has been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth;

2. A criminal history records check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange pursuant to § 19.2-389; and

3. In the case of licensed child-placing agencies or independent foster homes, a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse and neglect.

D. Any person making a materially false statement regarding the sworn statement or affirmation provided pursuant to subdivision C 1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

E. A licensed assisted living facility, licensed adult day center, licensed child-placing agency, or licensed independent foster home shall obtain for any compensated employees within 30 days of employment (i) an original criminal record clearance with respect to convictions for any offense set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and (ii) in the case of licensed child-placing agencies or independent foster homes, (a) an original criminal record clearance with respect to any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange and (b) a copy of the information from the central registry for any compensated employee within 30 days of employment. However, no employee shall be permitted to work in a position that involves direct contact with a person or child receiving services until an original criminal record clearance or original criminal history record has been received, unless such person works under the direct supervision of another employee for whom a background check has been completed in accordance with the requirements of this section. If an applicant is denied employment because of information from the central registry or convictions appearing on his criminal history record, the licensed assisted living facility, adult day center, child-placing agency, or independent foster home shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the central registry or the Central Criminal Records Exchange or both to the applicant.

F. No volunteer who (i) has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth shall be permitted to serve in a licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home. Any person desiring to volunteer at a licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home shall provide the agency, system, or home with a sworn statement or affirmation pursuant to subdivision C 1. Such licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home shall obtain for any volunteers, within 30 days of commencement of volunteer service, a copy of (a) the information from the central registry and (b) an original criminal record clearance with respect to any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Any person making a materially false statement regarding the sworn statement or affirmation provided pursuant to subdivision C 1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If a volunteer is denied service because of information from the central registry or convictions appearing on his criminal history record, such licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the central registry or the Central Criminal Records Exchange or both to the volunteer. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to volunteers who will be alone with any child in the performance of their duties and shall not apply to a parent-volunteer of a child attending a licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home, whether or not such parent-volunteer will be alone with any child in the performance of his duties. A parent-volunteer is someone supervising, without pay, a group of children that includes the parent-volunteer's own child in a program that operates no more than four hours per day, provided that the parent-volunteer works under the direct supervision of a person who has received a clearance pursuant to this section.

G. No volunteer shall be permitted to serve in a licensed assisted living facility or licensed adult day center without the permission or under the supervision of a person who has received a clearance pursuant to this section.

H. Further dissemination of the background check information is prohibited other than to the Commissioner's representative or a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination.

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a licensed adult day center that provides services to individuals receiving services under the state plan for medical assistance services or any waiver thereto may disclose to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (i) whether a criminal history background check has been completed for an employee in accordance with this section and (ii) whether such employee is eligible for employment.

J. A licensed assisted living facility shall notify and provide all students a copy of the provisions of this article prior to or upon enrollment in a certified nurse aide program operated by such assisted living facility.

K. A person who complies in good faith with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission in the performance of duties under this section unless the act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

1985, c. 360, § 63.1-198.1; 1986, cc. 300, 627; 1987, cc. 130, 131, 692, 693; 1992, cc. 746, 844, §§ 63.1-173.2, 63.1-194.13; 1993, cc. 17, 657, 730, 742, 957, 993; 1996, c. 747; 1998, cc. 551, 581; 1999, cc. 637, 740; 2001, c. 778; 2002, c. 747; 2005, c. 723; 2006, cc. 701, 764; 2014, c. 129; 2015, cc. 758, 770; 2016, c. 632; 2017, cc. 189, 201, 751, 809; 2019, c. 89; 2020, cc. 860, 861; 2024, cc. 37, 150.

Repealed effective July 1, 2021, by Acts 2020, cc. 860 and 861, cl. 2, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 446, cl. 2.

A. Upon application for licensure as a child-placing agency or independent foster home, (i) all applicants and (ii) agents at the time of application who are or will be involved in the day-to-day operations of the child-placing agency or independent foster home or who are or will be alone with, in control of, or supervising one or more of the children shall undergo a background check pursuant to subsection B. Upon application for licensure as an assisted living facility, all applicants shall undergo a background check pursuant to subsection B. In addition, foster or adoptive parents requesting approval by child-placing agencies shall undergo background checks pursuant to subsection B prior to their approval.

B. Background checks pursuant to subsection A require:

1. A sworn statement or affirmation disclosing whether the person has a criminal conviction or is the subject of any pending criminal charges within or outside the Commonwealth and whether or not the person has been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth;

2. A criminal history records check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange pursuant to § 19.2-389; and

3. In the case of child-placing agencies, independent foster homes, or adoptive or foster parents, a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse and neglect.

C. The person required to have a background check pursuant to subsection A shall submit the background check information required in subsection B to the Commissioner's representative prior to issuance of a license, registration or approval. The applicant, other than an applicant for licensure as an assisted living facility, shall provide an original criminal record clearance with respect to any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. An applicant for licensure as an assisted living facility shall provide an original criminal record clearance with respect to any offense set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 or an original criminal history record from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Any person making a materially false statement regarding the sworn statement or affirmation provided pursuant to subdivision B 1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If any person specified in subsection A, other than an applicant for licensure as an assisted living facility, required to have a background check (i) has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth, and such person has not been granted a waiver by the Commissioner pursuant to § 63.2-1723 or is not subject to an exception in subsection E, F, G, or H, (a) the Commissioner shall not issue a license to a child-placing agency or independent foster home or (b) a child-placing agency shall not approve an adoptive or foster home. If any applicant for licensure as an assisted living facility required to have a background check has been convicted of any offense set forth in clause (i) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02, the Commissioner shall not issue a license to an assisted living facility.

D. No person specified in subsection A shall be involved in the day-to-day operations of a licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home; be alone with, in control of, or supervising one or more children receiving services from a licensed child-placing agency or independent foster home; or be permitted to work in a position that involves direct contact with a person receiving services without first having completed background checks pursuant to subsection B unless such person is directly supervised by another person for whom a background check has been completed in accordance with the requirements of this section.

E. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this section, a child-placing agency may approve as an adoptive or foster parent an applicant who has been convicted of not more than one misdemeanor offense as set out in § 18.2-57, or any substantially similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, not involving abuse, neglect, moral turpitude, or a minor, provided that 10 years have elapsed following the conviction.

F. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this section, a child-placing agency may approve as a foster parent an applicant who has been convicted of statutory burglary for breaking and entering a dwelling home or other structure with intent to commit larceny, or any substantially similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, who has had his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority, provided that 25 years have elapsed following the conviction.

G. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this section, a child-placing agency may approve as an adoptive or foster parent an applicant convicted of any offense set forth in clause (iv) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 who has had his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority, provided that 10 years have elapsed following the conviction, or eight years have elapsed following the conviction and the applicant (i) has complied with all obligations imposed by the criminal court; (ii) has completed a substance abuse treatment program; (iii) has completed a drug test administered by a laboratory or medical professional within 90 days prior to being approved, and such test returned with a negative result; and (iv) complies with any other obligations as determined by the Department.

H. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this section, a child-placing agency may approve as an adoptive or foster parent an applicant convicted of any offense set forth in clause (iii) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 who has had his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority, provided that 20 years have elapsed following the conviction.

I. If an applicant is denied licensure, registration or approval because of information from the central registry or convictions appearing on his criminal history record, the Commissioner shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the central registry or the Central Criminal Records Exchange or both to the applicant.

J. Further dissemination of the background check information is prohibited other than to the Commissioner's representative or a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination.

Code 1950, §§ 63-235, 63-236; 1968, cc. 578, 585, §§ 63.1-198, 63.1-199; 1975, c. 439; 1985, c. 360, § 63.1-198.1; 1986, cc. 300, 627; 1987, cc. 130, 131, 692, 693; 1992, c. 746; 1993, cc. 730, 742; 1995, c. 401; 1996, c. 747; 1997, c. 427; 1998, cc. 551, 581; 1999, c. 740; 2001, c. 778; 2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 714; 2005, cc. 610, 722, 924; 2006, c. 885; 2014, c. 129; 2015, cc. 364, 758, 770; 2017, cc. 189, 751, 809; 2018, cc. 369, 573; 2020, cc. 860, 861.

Repealed effective July 1, 2021, by Acts 2020, cc. 860 and 861, cl. 2, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 446, cl. 2.

A. The Commissioner may revoke or deny renewal of a license of a child welfare agency, assisted living facility, or adult day center and a child-placing agency may revoke the approval of a foster home if the assisted living facility, adult day center, child welfare agency, or foster home has knowledge that a person specified in § 63.2-1720 or 63.2-1721 required to have a background check (i) has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02 or (ii) in the case of a child welfare agency or foster home, is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth, and such person has not been granted a waiver by the Commissioner pursuant to § 63.2-1723 or is not subject to the exceptions in subsection B of § 63.2-1720 or subsection E, F, G, or H of § 63.2-1721, and the facility, center, or agency refuses to separate such person from employment or service or allows the household member to continue to reside in the home.

B. Failure to obtain background checks pursuant to §§ 63.2-1720 and 63.2-1721 shall be grounds for denial, revocation, or termination of a license, registration, or approval or any contract with the Department or a local department to provide child care services to clients of the Department or local department. No violation shall occur if the assisted living facility, adult day center, child-placing agency, or independent foster home has applied for the background check timely and it has not been obtained due to administrative delay. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the Department.

Code 1950, § 63-235; 1968, cc. 578, § 63.1-198, 585; 1975, c. 439; 1985, c. 360; 1992, c. 746; 1993, cc. 730, 742; 1995, c. 401; 1996, c. 747; 1997, c. 427; 1998, cc. 551, 581; 2002, c. 747; 2015, cc. 758, 770; 2017, cc. 189, 751, 809; 2020, cc. 860, 861; 2024, cc. 37, 150.

A. Any person who seeks to operate or volunteer or work at a child welfare agency and who is disqualified because of a criminal conviction pursuant to §§ 63.2-1720 and 63.2-1721, may apply in writing for a waiver from the Commissioner. The Commissioner may grant a waiver if the Commissioner determines that (i) the person is of good moral character and reputation and (ii) the waiver would not adversely affect the safety and well-being of children in the person's care. The Commissioner shall not grant a waiver to any person who has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in § 19.2-392.02. The child welfare agency shall notify in writing every parent and guardian of the children in its care of any waiver granted for its operators, employees or volunteers.

B. The Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

1998, cc. 551, 581, § 63.1-198.4; 2001, c. 867; 2002, c. 747; 2015, cc. 758, 770; 2017, c. 809; 2020, cc. 860, 861.

Repealed effective July 1, 2021, by Acts 2020, cc. 860 and 861, cl. 2, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 446, cl. 2.

A. As a condition of employment, volunteering, or providing services on a regular basis, every children's residential facility that is regulated or operated by the Departments of Social Services, Education, Military Affairs, or Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall require any individual who (i) accepts a position of employment at such a facility, (ii) is employed by such a facility, (iii) volunteers for such a facility, or (iv) provides contractual services directly to a juvenile for such a facility to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information, to be forwarded along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such applicant. The children's residential facility shall inform the applicant that he is entitled to obtain a copy of any background check report and to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any such report and obtain a prompt resolution before a final determination is made of the applicant's eligibility to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children. The applicant shall provide the children's residential facility with a written statement or affirmation disclosing whether he has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense within or outside the Commonwealth. The results of the criminal history background check must be received prior to permitting an applicant to work in the children's residential facility.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall forward it to the state agency which operates or regulates the children's residential facility with which the applicant is affiliated. The state agency shall, upon receipt of an applicant's record lacking disposition data, conduct research in whatever state and local recordkeeping systems are available in order to obtain complete data. The state agency shall report to the children's facility whether the applicant is eligible to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, no children's residential facility regulated or operated by the Departments of Education, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Military Affairs, or Social Services shall hire for compensated employment or allow to volunteer or provide contractual services persons who have been convicted of or are the subject of pending charges for (a) any offense set forth in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (v) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 or (b) any offense set forth in clause (iv) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02 (1) in the five years prior to the application date for employment, to be a volunteer, or to provide contractual services or (2) such person continues on probation or parole or has failed to pay required court costs for such offense set forth in clause (iv) of the definition of barrier crime in § 19.2-392.02. The provisions of this section also shall apply to residential programs established pursuant to § 16.1-309.3 for juvenile offenders cited in a complaint for intake or in a petition before the court that alleges the juvenile is delinquent or in need of services or supervision and to local secure detention facilities, provided, however, that the provisions of this section related to local secure detention facilities shall only apply to an individual who, on or after July 1, 2013, accepts a position of employment at such local secure detention facility, volunteers at such local secure detention facility on a regular basis and will be alone with a juvenile in the performance of his duties, or provides contractual services directly to a juvenile at a local secure detention facility on a regular basis and will be alone with a juvenile in the performance of his duties. The Central Criminal Records Exchange and the state or local agency that regulates or operates the local secure detention facility shall process the criminal history record information regarding such applicant in accordance with this subsection and subsection B.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a children's residential facility may hire for compensated employment or for volunteer or contractual service purposes persons who have been convicted of not more than one misdemeanor offense under § 18.2-57 or 18.2-57.2, or any substantially similar offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, if 10 years have elapsed following the conviction, unless the person committed such offense in the scope of his employment, volunteer, or contractual services.

If the applicant is denied employment or the opportunity to volunteer or provide services at a children's residential facility because of information appearing on his criminal history record, and the applicant disputes the information upon which the denial was based, upon written request of the applicant the state agency shall furnish the applicant the procedures for obtaining his criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The information provided to the children's residential facility shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

C. Those individuals listed in clauses (i) through (iv) of subsection A also shall authorize the children's residential facility to obtain a copy of information from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 on any investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him. The applicant shall provide the children's residential facility with a written statement or affirmation disclosing whether he has ever been the subject of a founded case of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. The children's residential facility shall receive the results of the central registry search prior to permitting an applicant to work. Children's residential facilities regulated or operated by the Departments of Education; Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Military Affairs; and Social Services shall not hire for compensated employment or allow to volunteer or provide contractual services, persons who have a founded case of child abuse or neglect. Every residential facility for juveniles which is regulated or operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice shall be authorized to obtain a copy of the information from the central registry.

D. The Boards of Social Services; Education; Juvenile Justice; and Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department of Military Affairs, may adopt regulations to comply with the provisions of this section. Copies of any information received by a children's residential facility pursuant to this section shall be available to the agency that regulates or operates such facility but shall not be disseminated further. The cost of obtaining the criminal history record and the central registry information shall be borne by the employee or volunteer unless the children's residential facility, at its option, decides to pay the cost.

1994, c. 704, § 63.1-248.7:2; 1996, c. 747; 2001, c. 138; 2002, c. 747; 2007, c. 573; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2012, c. 383; 2013, cc. 96, 181; 2016, c. 580; 2017, c. 809; 2019, cc. 100, 282.

Repealed effective July 1, 2021, by Acts 2020, cc. 860 and 861, cl. 2, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 446, cl. 2.