Background Checks

[ref1986]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

If you're telling me that the state police collect the data, then provide essntially a "Clear" or "Not Clear" to the PIAA, then I agree with how it's handled. That eliminates my objection to providing a non-law enforcement agency with information they don't need. And if the law applies to everyone who deals with kids, and not simply adding officials to the list, then it's being applied fairly.

No, It's simpler than that. You request the clearances and the clearances are provided to you. You are either cleared or you are not. For example, you request the FBI criminal record check. The FBI is asked if there is any record of you having committed any of the list of crimes that would disquality you from receiving the clearance. If the answer is no, you get the clearance. If the answer is yes, you don't get the clearance (there are options to appeal). You also request a PA State Police record check. You then provide the copies of the clearances to any propsective employer covered under the law -- school district, law enforcement department, social service agency, nursing home, etc. If you are a sports official, you will have the option of sending your clearances to the PIAA which will put them in the database. That will allow the AD to check the database. But if you want you can provide each AD with the copies and send nothing to the PIAA. This law applies to almost everyone whose job brings them into regular contact with children. (I'm a college prof and our new hires have to do it because they may have contact with students under 18.) No prospective employer ever sees any of the raw information.

And for those of you who worry about "leaks" of information from your criminal history, if you don't have a criminal history there's nothing to leak, is there? This is essentially a criminal history/court record check, not a total background investigation where they look at your employment, credit history, how often you cheat on your wife. There is nothing else there to leak.