Simultaneous changes to the provincial criminal records review program will:
· Allow more efficient sharing of current, verified criminal record checks among groups in the sector, saving them time and paperwork.
· Provide volunteers and publicly funded employees with more mobility in the sector, since they will be able to consent to sharing verified checks with more than one organization.
· Give businesses and for-profit enterprises an opportunity to access existing record checks of new employees who consent to the sharing of them, thereby eliminating the cost of a redundant check. This will apply for checks completed within the past five years for which there was no determination of risk. (more)
Quick Facts:
· The fee and record-sharing changes follow related amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act last spring.
· To ensure the record check program continues to operate on a full cost-recovery basis, the cost for an employee record check will rise to $28 from $20 – equivalent to $1.60 more per year over the five-year life of a check. This increase is the first for the program since 2004.
· B.C.’s volunteer-based and non-profit agencies retain the freedom to have their local police or RCMP detachment conduct criminal record checks, or to conduct other appropriate screening to ensure client safety. However, fees for these checks outside the provincial program will not be covered by government.
· In 2011, the provincial program provided nearly 200,000 checks of employees, while B.C. police agencies reported conducting about 80,000 for volunteers.
· B.C. workers required to have criminal record checks include health professionals, teachers, and employees at licensed care facilities.
More information on the provincial records review program is at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/
The Criminal Records Review Act is online at: www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96086_01
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