Hemmingway Nursing Care is a home healthcare agency providing in$-$home care to elderly and special$-$needs patients. Many of Hemmingway's patients would be considered vulnerable adults due to their diagnoses. Hemmingway, consistent with state law, routinely conducted criminal background studies on applicants that had received a conditional offer of employment. If the applicant had a disqualifying record, the offer for employment would be withdrawn.

Recently, the HR director had been informed that one of Hemmingway's longterm nursing aides with an exemplary record of performance and attendance had

been arrested and charged with domestic abuse. If the nursing aide is ultimately convicted on the charge, Hemmingway will be required to terminate that person based on state law.

Questions

What is the purpose of state laws that require certain types of employers, especially healthcare employers, to conduct criminal checks on workers?

Should Hemmingway terminate the employment of the nursing aide if the individual is convicted of domestic abuse regardless of his or her work record?