Disability Services and Other Legislation (Worker Screening) Amendment Bill 2018
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee
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Ayes (40)
Noes (48)
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill ensures all disability service workers in Queensland undergo proper criminal history screening before providing services. It closes a gap by clarifying that self-employed workers (sole traders) must hold a yellow card, and enables Queensland to share criminal history information with other states as the NDIS rolls out nationally.
Who it affects
People with disability and NDIS participants benefit from stronger worker screening protections. Sole traders providing disability services must now clearly hold a yellow card before starting work and report any changes in their criminal history directly to the department.
Key changes
- Sole traders must hold a yellow card (positive notice) before providing disability services
- Queensland Police can share expanded criminal history information, including spent convictions and pending charges, with interstate NDIS screening units
- Sole traders can have their identity certified by a JP, Commissioner for Declarations, lawyer or police officer when applying for screening
- Sole traders must disclose any changes in their police information directly to the department chief executive
- Penalties of up to 250 penalty units apply for sole traders who provide services without proper screening