FL Gov. Scott Vetoes Bill That Would Weaken Background Screening

Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have allowed some volunteers with in-home social service groups to avoid background screenings.  The bill, SB1992, passed unaminously by the Florida Legislature, would have waived background checks for mental health personnel who had less than 15 hours per week of direct, face-to-face contact with patients, along with nursing assistants and "law enforcement officers who have a good moral character."  Gov. Scott contends that the negative aspects outweigh the positives on this bill.  "Volunteers who work with social service organizations to provide state-funded services can have unresticted access to seniors, children, and persons with disabilities.  I am vetoing SB1992 because it will allow certain volunteers to work directly with vulnerable Floridians without first submitting to a background screening.  That is a risk that is not worth taking."

Background screening is critical in any work or volunteer environment.  Anyone working with vulnerable people must be screened – ask the daughter of the parent battered by the care giver, or the mother of the child molested by the Sunday School Teacher. Whether they are working or volunteering for 40 hours or 4 hours it makes no difference.  Those with the intent to do harm, need only a few minutes to cause irreparable damage to our most vulnerable citizens!  FAILING TO BACKGROUND SCREEN INVITES ALL THE WRONG VOLUNTEERS OR WORKERS! 

If we exempt these people they will just volunteer for less hours to get their evil way.  Our duty is to protect the innocents – NOT the perverts.  Hats off Governor Scott!    How can AARP abandon their people like this?

For more information on conducting affordable background screening in your work or volunteer environment, contact a proven background screening company at  www.SingleSourceServices.com or www.hr4nonprofitorgs.com if you are a church or non-profit organization.