Massachusetts Eyes Background Checks for Mental Retardation Workers
Printed with permission, The Ashland Tab
In June 2006, the state Joint Committee on Children and Families gave committee approval to a bill that state Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, spent much time and energy changing over the past several months: H2858, an Act Requiring National Background Checks for all Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) employees in the state.
The bill is written to ensure a thorough background check on employees who work with some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, Sannicandro said. “The facts are that right now the background checks for DMR employees are inadequate,” said Sannicandro. “When this bill is passed and signed into law the families of our disable residents won’t have to worry anymore about who is taking care of their loved ones.”
Right now all DMR job applicants undergo a Criminal Offense Registry Information (CORI) check to obtain employment. CORI checks are important, but would only reveal an applicant’s Massachusetts criminal history, whereas this bill will allow DMR a more thorough investigation of the workers they hire, Sannicandro said.
Sannicandro’s work fixing the language and intent of the bill and work helping move it through the legislative process was noted by Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Board Member Brian Skotko in an email to the group.
“We especially thank MDSC member, Rep. Tom Sannicandro, for his firm support for this bill and help in achieving a favorable vote,” Skotko wrote.
Employee Spotlight:
Brandon Morrell, Implementation Design Manager
 At USIS, the ability to integrate with our clients’ systems and ensuring they are “up and running” in a timely manner is an integral and unique part of our business. We take pride that our customers are provided with a smooth integration and set-up process and are informed every step of the way. For two years, Brandon Morrell has done just that every day as an Implementation Design Manager with USIS.
A four-year veteran with the company, Morrell was initially hired in data entry and call support, transitioning to web support shortly after. One year later, he was promoted to the training department, where he acquired in-depth knowledge about USIS’ products and capabilities. Before long, Morrell moved to the Implementation department.
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Adam Walsh Act highlights importance of checking sex offender status
USIS offers Guardian™ national sex offender search product
On July 27, 2006, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 4472, the new national sex offender law commonly referred to as the Adam Walsh Act. The legislation was enacted to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crime, prevent child abuse and child pornography and promote Internet safety. Among other components of the act is a requirement for the Department of Justice to design, create and maintain a new public national sex offender registry.
Although the Department of Justice has three years to establish its registry, USIS, a leader in pre-employment screening, drug testing, and insurance services, currently offers USIS Guardian™, a national sex offender search product, which is a cost-effective solution that an employer can use to screen for potential sex offenders. read more
University of North Carolina May Start Requiring Student Background Checks
Raleigh, North Carolina senator Neal Hunt recently proposed a state bill requiring fingerprinting and criminal background checks for all students prior to enrollment in any of the state’s 16 public universities, beginning in the fall of 2007.
The bill was prompted by two murder cases at UNC-Wilmington in 2004, both involving suspects with violent histories that were concealed on their entrance applications. The suspects and victims were all students at the university.
Universities rarely conduct criminal background checks on perspective students. However, UNC has amended its application process and now asks specific criminal history questions on the admission application. In addition to the criminal background questions, UNC also analyzes applications for gaps in an applicant’s educational history. If a red flag appears, the university will then run a criminal background check.
Support of the bill is divided. Concerned parents may have more peace of mind knowing that students are screened prior to admission, but general counsel for the university cites that criminal checks may be costly and may not reveal much information because records on juveniles under the age of 16 are sealed.
To date, the bill has yet to be voted upon.
We hope you love our new look
The USIS web ordering site was updated in August 2006. The way you input information to order and view reports has not changed. However, we did change the colors and layout, and added a few enhancements that should simplify navigation of the site. As always, please use the SUPPORT link on any of the pages to send our Customer Satisfaction team an email if you have questions regarding the changes.
We want to hear from you!
As a valued USIS customer, your feedback regarding the products and customer service we provide is important. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and in exchange for completing the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your name into a drawing for an Apple iPod. To access the survey, click here.
Thank you for your time and valuable feedback!
Company Closings
USIS and Affiliates will be closed November 23 and 24 in observance of Thanksgiving and December 25 for the holiday season.
Trade Show Schedule
USIS will be participating in a variety of trade shows in the next couple of months. Please click here to take a look at the list.
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