1. (a)

   1. (1) A local provider program must comply with all requirements applicable to employees under this part, including without limitation drug screens, criminal background checks, adult and child maltreatment registry checks, and sex offender registry searches.
   2. (2) A local provider program must verify that an employee continues to meet all requirements upon the request of First Connections or whenever the local provider program receives information after hiring that would create a reasonable belief that an employee no longer meets all requirements, including without limitation requirements related to drug screens, criminal background checks, adult and child maltreatment registry checks, and sex offender registry searches.
   3. (3) Local provider program personnel and staff in roles that do not require First Connections certification (clerical, schedulers, billers, administrators, etc.) are required to complete an orientation and, or, or both introduction to IDEA, Part C within ninety (90) days of hire and meet all required ongoing professional development requirements for noncertified EI professionals.

2. (b)

   1. (1) A local provider program must conduct criminal background checks for all employees as required pursuant to Arkansas Code § 20-38-101 et seq.
   2. (2) A local provider program must conduct a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check on each employee prior to hiring and at least every two (2) years thereafter.
   3. (3) A local provider program must conduct an Adult and Long-term Care Facility Resident Maltreatment Central Registry check on each employee prior to hiring and at least every two (2) years thereafter.
   4. (4) A local provider program must conduct at least a five-panel drug screen on each employee prior to hiring and as required by Arkansas Code § 20-77-128(b).
   5. (5) A local provider program must conduct an Arkansas Sex Offender Registry search on each employee prior to hiring and at least every two (2) years thereafter.
3. (c) Each employee must successfully pass all required checks, screens, and searches required in this section.

Codification Notes: "EI" means early intervention.