Public Safety
Annual fingerprint checks could screen New Jersey youth coaches
Youth teams, leagues and lesson providers would have to run annual fingerprint and name checks on adults who work with children. The bill would also let some skip a second check in the same year if they already had an equivalent screening.
Youth-serving organizations in New Jersey would have to verify adults through criminal history record checks every year. The measure also sets cost rules, consent requirements and penalties for groups that fail to ask for the check.
- Annual background checks would apply to youth sports groups and private lesson providers.
- The check would use both fingerprints and name-based record searches.
- People with certain violence, child, theft or drug convictions could be barred.
- Ignoring a disqualifying result could carry criminal penalties.
- In New Jersey, youth-serving organizations would face a new screening rule for the adults around children
In New Jersey, youth-serving organizations would face a new screening rule for the adults around children. Sports teams, leagues, athletic associations and private athletic lesson providers would have to require criminal history record background checks for employees, volunteers and organizers.
The check means a name-and-fingerprints search against records held by the FBI and the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police.
Who gets screened, and what it costs
The proposal would make the check an annual requirement. It would also require written consent from the person being screened, who would pay the cost, though the fee could not be more than the actual cost of the check.
A person would be disqualified if the record shows convictions tied to violence, offenses against children or family members, theft, or certain drug crimes. If an employee, volunteer or organizer keeps participating while knowing they are disqualified, or if an organizer, coach or other person working with the group ignores that result, the bill would make that a fourth-degree crime.