Criminal & sex offender background checks for adult youth group leaders.

[paineinthearse]

A post in GENERAL picqued my interest -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3189121&mesg_id=3189121

In Massachusetts, to be a leader of a youth group, one must pass a CORI and & SORI (criminal * sex offender) background check. A step in the right direction, but I see some areas needing improvement:

1. FREQUENCY - It appears to be a one-time check. Leaders who volunteer over a longer time period may pass the initial checks, only later to break the law, and be "grandfathered".
2. NOT IN EVERY STATE - My teen son needed to do this to be a summer camp counselor in Massachusetts, but not in New Hampshire.
3. NO TEETH - As a soccer coach, although required, my town club / the league never tole me to submit applications. As an adult volunteer who stayed 1 week at a boy scout summer camp and who has gone on many weekend camping trips, the local troop and the council have never required me to submit CORI and SORI applications.

For more info on CORI and SORI, go to http://www.mass.gov/chsb/cori/cori.html & http://www.mass.gov/sorb/

CONCERNS:

1. The Massachusetts laws lack verification that all adult leaders have approved forms on file.
2. The program is not national.

Let's discuss this issue, form a concensus, and petition our state reps to create/tighten the existing laws, and for our Congresspeople to adopt a national standard.

[paineinthearse]

1. Massachusetts CORI & SORI laws

MASSACHUSETTS CRIMINAL INFORMATION
http://www.mass.gov/chsb/cori/cori.html
The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Unit provides CORI to Board certified, non-criminal justice agencies such as schools, day care centers, home health aides, youth athletic coaches, and municipal government agencies. Individuals may also obtain a copy of their personal criminal record from the CORI Unit. Excluding law enforcement agency requests, the unit processes and average of 100,000 requests per month.

This Unit also assists in correcting inaccurate criminal records, investigates complaints of improper access to or dissemination of CORI, and provides legal assistance on matters relating to the CORI law to police, prosecutors, judges, and the public.

For additional information, or answers to questions not found on this site, please contact the CHSB ’s CORI Unit at [phone].



MASSACHUSETTS SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION
http://www.mass.gov/sorb/about.htm

Sex Offender Registry Law (G.L. c. 6, §§ 178C – 178Q) http://www.mass.gov/sorb/forms/178C-Q%20&%20RMV_v2.pdf

[dsc]

2. Frankly those checks are exceptionally expensive

and many volunteers would be loath to pay for them out of pocket. To be a teacher in Ohio we have to pass a similar backround check and mine cost $85. In the final analysis we need to have a system where kids and adults aren't alone. On a camping trip I think two adults (that don't know each other before hand if possible) per cabin would be wise. I think mass backround checks are on the impractical side of life.

[paineinthearse]

3. If the state requires them, the state should pay.

Why should the burden be on the volunteer or teacher?

[dsc]

4. because the state is cheap

and won't pay. For the record NC paid for most of mine (I had only a $25 fee which is much lower than my Ohio fee was) but that is a function of the fact NC needs teachers and OH doesn't.