Effective July 1, 2007, the New Hampshire Statute RSA 161-F:49 requires that all employers of programs that are licensed, certified, or funded by the NH Department of Health and Human Services to provide services, submit the name of prospective employees who may have client contact for review against the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated adults.  In addition, any individual hiring a caregiver directly, or through an authorized representative or fiscal intermediary may submit the prospective employee's name for registry review.

On Friday, September 7th, the Department mailed a statewide Notice to Providers-September 2007 informing them of their responsibility and the process for checking the names of prospective employees against the registry.  A second notice, Notice to Providers-January 2008, was mailed on January 30, 2008 to provide clarification regarding the submission of release forms for prospective employees.

The employer is informed whether a prospective employee is or is not on the registry.  A BEAS State Registry Consent Form, updated September 2, 2008, is to be completed by the prospective employee and used by employers to request a review of the registry.

If you have any questions about the Department's responsibilities to administer the BEAS State Registry, please contact Michele Beasley, Supervisor, BEAS State Registry.  She can be reached by telephone at 1-800-852-3345, extension 8154 or 271-8154, or via email at mbeasley@dhhs.state.nh.us.  Individual employers with questions about their responsibilities under the Statute may wish to seek legal advice from their own legal counsel.