II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2429 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 20, 2023 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Ms. Rosen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase the ability of Medicare and Medicaid providers to access the National Practitioner Data Bank for the purpose of conducting employee background checks.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promote Responsible Oversight and Targeted Employee background Check Transparency for Seniors Act or the PROTECTS Act . 2. Permitting Medicare and Medicaid providers to access the National Practitioner Data Bank to conduct employee background checks Section 1921(b)(6) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–2(b)(6) ) is amended— (1) by striking and other health care entities (as defined in section 431 of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986) and inserting , other health care entities (as defined in section 431 of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986), providers of services (as defined in section 1861(u)), suppliers (as defined in section 1861(d)), and providers of items or services under a State plan under this title (or a waiver of such a plan) ; and (2) by striking such hospitals or other health care entities and inserting such hospitals, health care entities, providers, or suppliers .