Topper says Background Check Fees Waived for Volunteers
HARRISBURG – A new state law supported by state Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) waives the two $10 background check fees for volunteers and reduces the fee for employees in Pennsylvania who have direct and routine contact with children.
“This law provides better protection for children without unduly burdening the volunteers who help our kids,” said Topper, who voted for the new law when it was considered by the state House. “This was a necessary improvement that builds on the solid foundation of child protection measures enacted in the past.”
Pennsylvania updated its child protection laws in 2014. The changes require volunteers and employees who interact with children to acquire a child abuse clearance from the Department of Human Services and a criminal history background clearance from the Pennsylvania State Police.
The new law waives the fees for these background checks for volunteers, and they cannot be used to also obtain a job.
“We did not want the fees to prevent qualified volunteers from helping our children,” said Topper.
Employees who work with children will see the fees for these clearances reduced from $10 to $8 each.
The new law also changes the length of time the clearances will last. Prior to the change, employees and volunteers had to seek new clearances every three years. The new law extends the life of the clearances to five years.
The new law, Act 15, also extended the deadline for new volunteers to obtain their clearances from July 1 to Aug. 25. Existing volunteers still have until July 1, 2016, to obtain their clearances.
More information about child protection laws in Pennsylvania is available at
KeepKidsSafe.Pa.Gov.
Representative Jesse Topper
78th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Daniel Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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