§16-49-1. Definitions

As used in this article:

“Applicant” means an individual who is being considered for employment or engagement with the department, a covered provider or covered contractor.

“Background check” means a prescreening of registries specified by the secretary by rule and a fingerprint-based search of state and federal criminal history record information.

“Bureau” means a division within the Department of Health and Human Resources.

“Covered contractor” means an individual or entity, including their employees and subcontractors, that contracts with a covered provider to perform services that include any direct access services.

“Covered provider” means the following facilities or providers:

(i) A skilled nursing facility;

(ii) A nursing facility;

(iii) A home health agency;

(iv) A provider of hospice care;

(v) A long-term care hospital;

(vi) A provider of personal care services;

(vii) A provider of adult day care;

(viii) A residential care provider that arranges for, or directly provides, long-term care services, including an assisted living facility;

(ix) An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities;

(x) Any other facility or provider required to participate in the West Virginia Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screening program as determined by the secretary by legislative rule; and

(xi) Excludes medical foster home approved and annually reviewed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to 38 CFR 17.73.

“Department” means the Department of Health and Human Resources.

“Department employee” means any prospective or current part-time employee, full-time employee, temporary employee, independent contractor, or volunteer of the department.

“Direct access” means physical contact with a resident, member, beneficiary, or client, or access to their property, personally identifiable information, protected health information, or financial information.

“Direct access personnel” means an individual who has direct access by virtue of ownership, employment, engagement or agreement with the department, a covered provider, or covered contractor. Direct access personnel does not include volunteers or students performing irregular or supervised functions or contractors performing repairs, deliveries, installations or similar services for the covered provider. The secretary shall determine by legislative rule whether the position in question involves direct access.

“Disqualifying offense” means: