Council proposes criminal history check for coaches

BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - A criminal history background check could become part of the employment screening process for all municipal employees and members of local sports groups who work with children.

An ordinance proposing the criminal background check was introduced by the Township Council on Aug. 8. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22. The council can vote to adopt the ordinance following the public hearing.

According to the ordinance, the background of any full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary or seasonal employee of the Jackson Recreation Department or any nonprofit youth-serving organization in town will be checked.

Councilman Scott Martin said, "During the course of discussion with Director of Recreation Ann Alberta, it was brought to my attention there were no criminal background checks for our recreation personnel and volunteer coaches. I thought that was unusual. I have children and I'm sure many people here have children. We need to protect our children."

Martin said a proactive approach to government is needed and so he asked the municipal clerk to research the matter.

"[The clerk] confirmed there was no such ordinance on the books," said the councilman.

Martin discussed the matter with Township Attorney George R. Gilmore and an ordinance was drafted.

The ordinance requiring a criminal background check includes any person involved with coaching, managing, supervising participants, or any other title consistent with these terms.

Also included are any umpires, referees, member of any boards that govern such organizations, or anyone who uses township-owned property for activities of the organization.

For the purpose of the ordinance, a youth is defined as any person who is under the age of 18.

Prospective or current employees will be required to submit their name, date of birth, address, fingerprints, written consent and any other required information. The township administrator will be responsible for coordinating the background check.

Failure to comply with the requirement by refusing to submit to the background check will prohibit that individual from participating. Any person who is found to have a criminal background will be disqualified from serving, according to the ordinance.

Other items in the ordinance deal with limitations on access and use of the criminal history record and the process of appealing a determination after an individual has been deemed unable to be employed by the township or fit to serve as a volunteer.

Nonprofit youth-serving organizations will be required to bear the cost incurred by the township for conducting the background checks.

"It's very important to protect our children," Martin said upon the introduction of the ordinance.