This bill amends existing legislation to expand the requirement for criminal history record background checks to include all employees, volunteers, and organizers of youth serving organizations, which are defined to encompass a broader range of entities, including sports teams, leagues, and organizations providing recreational or cultural activities for individuals under 18 years of age. The bill mandates that these background checks be conducted at least once a year and specifies that individuals who have already undergone a background check through public or nonpublic schools or recognized athletic associations are exempt from additional checks within the same calendar year, provided they submit proof of their prior check.

Additionally, the bill introduces civil penalties for youth serving organizations that fail to request the required background checks, with fines escalating for repeated offenses. It establishes that knowingly allowing disqualified individuals to participate in these organizations constitutes a fourth-degree crime, as does the failure to act on the results of a background check. This legislative change aims to enhance the safety of youth involved in various programs by ensuring that individuals with disqualifying criminal histories are not permitted to work or volunteer in these settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15A:3A-1, 15A:3A-2, 15A:3A-3, 15A:3A-4, 15A:3A-5