Assisted living vs LTC barriers to employment, comments?

[SuzieVN]

In CA, any criminal conviction (other than a minor traffic ticket) is an automatic barrier to employment in a RCFE (assisted living), or continuing care place, unless that place files for an exemption on your behalf, and other stuff is done. And why would they do that? From what I can tell, you can't work there until and if the exemption is granted, and the site says it takes 45 days? Makes no sense. It WOULD make sense if the APPLICANT could file for the exemption on his behalf, in order to increase his employability- "Yes, I have a conviction, but the state gave determined I am not a risk, and granted me an exemption so I can work in an ALF".

However, a criminal conviction is not a barrier to working in LTC, unless it is on the list of 'no go' offenses the state lists (sex crimes, abuse, etc.).

Question: Why is it NOT ok to work in an ALF, with a DUI, say- where people are alert, independent or close to it, and etc.- but it IS ok to work in LTC, where the patients are weak, maybe debilitated, and totally more vulnerable?

Not a request for legal advice, whtsoever. I'm trying to do the impossible, and determine the logic in some of these laws.

Thanks~