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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPhysicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and other medical workers would have to pay for a national criminal background check when applying for a state license under a bill pending with the Indiana Senate.
The bill approved 8-3 Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee says state boards may suspend, deny or revoke the licenses of those with offenses affecting the person's ability to perform their health care duties.
Bill sponsor Sen. Patricia Miller of Indianapolis says current policy relies on the honesty of health workers to accurately report convictions when applying for licenses. About 198,000 people are currently licensed or certified in one of the 20 professions specified in the bill.
Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage questioned whether the requirement would hurt the due-process rights of those seeking licenses.
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