15-1881. Postsecondary health sciences programs; definitions

A. A program in a public or private postsecondary institution that requires clinical training in hospitals or other health care facilities as part of its educational program may require as a condition of acceptance as a health sciences student or as a condition of employment as a clinical assistant the person to obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1 or may require that the card be obtained before placement in clinical training rotations.  The program may rescind the admission, remove the person from the educational or training program or terminate the employment of any person who fails to obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card.

B. A person who is required to possess a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to subsection A of this section and who does not possess a fingerprint clearance card before enrollment or employment at the public or private postsecondary institution shall verify to the public or private postsecondary institution, by completing a signed notarized form provided by the public or private postsecondary institution, that the person is not awaiting trial on or has never been convicted of or admitted in open court pursuant to a plea agreement to committing any offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B or C in this state or a similar offense committed in another state or jurisdiction, pending receipt of the fingerprint clearance card.

C. Information contained in a form submitted pursuant to subsection B of this section is confidential.

D. A person who is required to obtain a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to this section may be charged all costs and fees associated with obtaining or renewing the card as prescribed by sections 41-619.53 and 41-1750.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Clinical assistant" means a participant in a graduate medical or pharmacy education program at a public or private postsecondary institution.

2. "Health sciences student" means a person who has applied to or is enrolled in a public or private postsecondary institution program of study in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, athletic training, dental hygiene, communication sciences and disorders, speech and hearing sciences or general health sciences.