State considering criminal checks for doctors

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina’s medical licensing board will consider requiring criminal background checks for doctors.

Jim Knight, a spokesman for the state Labor, Licensing and Regulation Department, said a draft of the proposal calls for a change in state law to allow national screening of medical license applicants. South Carolina requires such screening for day-care workers and teachers.

The department’s medical board will consider the proposal in November.

The issue came up last week when investigators discovered a West Columbia physician had failed to report a 1966 felony conviction in Michigan when he applied for a South Carolina medical license. Dr. James M. Shortt was 19 years old when he was convicted of felony switchblade possession. At the time, Shortt was known as James Michael Wideman.

Shortt now is under investigation by medical regulators and police after one of his patient’s died following an alternative medical treatment. Katherine Bibeau, 53, died in March a few days after the first of three planned injections Shortt administered at the Health Dimensions Clinic in West Columbia. Richland County Coroner Gary Watts has ruled her death a homicide. No one has been charged in the case.

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Some Questioning School Background Checks

When it comes to educating children, an involved parent can make a world of difference. But now the state of Massachusetts says before you volunteer in your child’s school, you have to submit to a criminal check.

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Study: DCF still failing to make background checks

MIAMI (AP) - A new state study says the Department of Children and Families office in Miami is still routinely neglecting to perform criminal background checks before placing a child with relatives or family friends. It has been two years since Miami foster child Rilya Wilson disappeared while in the home of a state-approved caregiver with a lengthy criminal record. In 44 percent of such cases reviewed recently. authorities still failed to perform a national criminal background check. In 37 percent, the study says investigators did not even bother to check the department’s own computerized child-abuse records.

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Mandated Background Checks

Educators say volunteers are more critical to student success than ever. Whether you are a reading tutor or a lunchroom monitor, you can make a difference in a child’s life. But, it is no longer as simple as signing up to volunteer.

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DeKalb County CEO Denies Ordering Background Checks

DECATUR — DeKalb County police are investigating whether officers made unauthorized background checks on political figures including a Republican county commissioner and two candidates for chief executive officers.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today that background checks were made on two of its reporters who cover DeKalb County government.

The background checks were done between March and August and collected information on driver’s licenses. The checks also looked for outstanding arrest warrants and probation and parole status.

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