Jun. 12, 2015
HARRISBURG – The fees associated with child abuse clearances and criminal background checks would be waived for volunteers who work with children under an amendment unanimously endorsed by the House this week, Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) said.
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), was added to
House Bill 1276, which intends to clear up requirements enacted under Pennsylvania’s child protection laws and, where possible, make those requirements less onerous for adult volunteers who work with children. The House is expected to consider House Bill 1276 next week.
“The General Assembly decided that legislative action was necessary to address concerns many volunteer organizations and parents have voiced regarding the unintended consequences associated with the new child protection laws,” Jozwiak said. “Amending the laws to eliminate fees for child abuse clearances and background checks will help to ease an unnecessary burden that may have been deterring some volunteers from participating in youth activities. At the same time, this action will not diminish the laws’ underlying purpose of protecting our children.”
The clearances and checks are required through a new state Child Protection Services Law following the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case at Penn State.
If the fees were not waived, volunteers who work with children would have had to pay $10 for the child abuse clearance and another $10 for the criminal background check.
The fees for teachers and others who work with children also will be reduced from $10 to $8 for each.
The $27.50 fee for FBI criminal background checks cannot be reduced by the state. Those checks must be completed by volunteers and various employees who work directly with children who have not been a continuous resident of the Commonwealth for the past decade.
Representative Barry Jozwiak
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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