Posted: | January 4, 2013 11:12 AM |
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From: | Senator Donald C. White |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Background Check for Youth Coaches |
I plan to introduce legislation which would require background checks for persons who seek to coach youth athletic teams. This legislation would require potential youth coaches be subject to both a criminal history check through the Pennsylvania State Police and a child abuse clearance from the Department of Public Welfare. As more cases of abuse involving youth sports teams come to light, I believe it is necessary to provide an additional level of safety and assurances to parents who have entrusted coaches to watch over their children and serve as role models. I believe this bill will not only provide additional protection to children, but serve as a deterrent to offenders. This legislation, which I introduced last session as Senate Bill 1617, was the winning entry in my annual “There Ought to be a Law” essay competition for elementary schools, and I believe it is an idea worthy of additional consideration. |
Introduced as SB382