Top Los Angeles County health officials tried Tuesday to explain how an ex-cop convicted of rape under the color of authority was twice hired to work in public hospitals. Gariner Beasley was fired in August after it was reported that he was among scores of employees with criminal records working at the former Martin Luther

Indiana legislators consider requiring national criminal checks and other measures in order to fix gaps in their system of screening teachers. Prompted in part by an Indianapolis Star investigation, four bills stand before Indiana’s General Assembly in an effort to help ensure children are safe at school. Currently, more than 40 states require a nationwide

Wisconsin State privacy law prevents public disclosure on the backgrounds of healthcare providers. The Department of Regulation and Licensing has no authority to background check licensed healthcare providers. As the state drops the ball, The Medical Examining Board tries unsuccessfully to authorize federal criminal background checks on all applicants for a new license. The responsibility

2009 calls for tougher standards in the Mortgage Industry as U.S. States begin mandating background checks for new and renewing licensed mortgage brokers. Arizona, Indiana and Ohio lead the way as the task of raising the bar for brokers in the aftermath of the mortgage crisis begins. Read full article: “U.S. mortgage crisis prompting change”

State of California embarrassed as investigation finds approximately 300,000 state healthcare workers have not been screened for background checks. Cases sited as advocacy groups call for immediate action from the state, local and governing agencies. Read full article: “Many California health workers not checked for criminal pasts”

Rising elder abuse cases prompt industry to conduct periodic background checks on elder care providers. Previously, caregivers had only been screened prior to being hired. With the rising number of elder abuse cases nationwide the industry is looking beyond current state requirements of pre-employment background checks to random periodic background checks for employees handling the