Child welfare providers check employees’ backgrounds every four years

Employees undergo a federally required background check every four years. This applies to employees of preventative providers that operate child welfare programs, home-based family preservation providers, child caring institutions, group homes, and child placing agencies. An employee who completed the required federal check does not need a separate check to provide additional child welfare services for the same employer. The first check is due no later than four years after hire, with another due once every four years after that. This provision takes effect July 1, 2026.

A provider may let a person begin limited training before the full criminal history check is complete if specified checks and disclosures are in place. This applies to employees, volunteers, and contractors at child caring institutions, group homes, and child placing agencies who are subject to a criminal history check. The required in-state checks must be complete. If the person lived outside Indiana during the five years before hiring, specified out-of-state checks must have been requested. Before the full check is complete, the person may only train without contact with children or access to their records, and must disclose specified out-of-state abuse complaints and law-enforcement contacts under penalty of perjury. The full criminal history check is generally due by the person’s employment, volunteer assignment, or contract start. The limited training exception applies before that check is complete.