(a) The secretary shall create and implement a background check program to facilitate the processing and analysis of the criminal history and background of applicants to the department, covered providers, and covered contractors with direct access. This program shall be called the West Virginia Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screening.
(b) The purpose of the program is to protect West Virginias vulnerable populations by requiring registry and criminal background checks for all direct access personnel of the department, covered providers, and covered contractors.
(c) The program shall include:
(1) A centralized Internet-based system of registries to allow the department, covered providers, and covered contractors to perform a mandatory prescreening of applicants;