backgrounds checks in all states?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

I'm curious. Are there any states that do not require background checks for high school sport's officials? We still do in Florida and I believe also back in New York. Anyone know or have a link to information?
Thanks in advance.

Not in Ohio and Michigan.

MTD, Sr.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Not in DE

[Insane Blue]

Not California. I am trying to get in touch with State lawmakers to see how to get it on the books.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Not in Georgia, either.

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

Not California. I am trying to get in touch with State lawmakers to see how to get it on the books.

Just wondering why? In my opinion, it is a knee-jerk feel-good response typical of bureaucrats and politicians that will only weed out those too stupid to avoid being caught. The truly most dangerous predators are those that haven't been caught, and a background check won't help detect them.

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Not in Georgia, either.



Just wondering why? In my opinion, it is a knee-jerk feel-good response typical of bureaucrats and politicians that will only weed out those too stupid to avoid being caught. The truly most dangerous predators are those that haven't been caught, and a background check won't help detect them.

I have been informed that someone who currently works HS sports locally is a sex offender but is being protected by others. This is a real sore spot growing up I knew of at least one kid molested by someone who was involved with youth sports.
Additionally most of our local units have paper work asking if you have any Felonies and a lot of people lie about it. As coaches we have to due background checks and it is very quick and the cost is low to do it.

[shagpal]

megan's law is your friend if you know the residence.

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

I have been informed that someone who currently works HS sports locally is a sex offender but is being protected by others. This is a real sore spot growing up I knew of at least one kid molested by someone who was involved with youth sports.
Additionally most of our local units have paper work asking if you have any Felonies and a lot of people lie about it. As coaches we have to due background checks and it is very quick and the cost is low to do it.

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by shagpal

megan's law is your friend if you know the residence.

I know megans law very well.
Our local HS associations covers 2 counties. we have over 300 members in basketball and football, 125 members in Baseball, 150 Members in Softball and so on.
Megans law shows 2686 registered sex offenders in my county and 3411 in the other county. I will say that their are a combined 4.5 Million people in these 2 counties

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

I have been informed that someone who currently works HS sports locally is a sex offender but is being protected by others. This is a real sore spot growing up I knew of at least one kid molested by someone who was involved with youth sports.
Additionally most of our local units have paper work asking if you have any Felonies and a lot of people lie about it. As coaches we have to due background checks and it is very quick and the cost is low to do it.

Low is relative term.
We get 45 bucks for a varsity game.
Background check is 75 and then if you pass, another 10 for an ID badge which you should display on school grounds...

I really have no problem with the check, just not excited about the almost 2 game cost.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

I really have no problem with the check, just not excited about the almost 2 game cost.

C'mon Hugo, what's two games in the grand scheme? I'm sure you can make that up in less than a week of the season. Heck, you spent half that much for a cup that doesn't protect you.

What kind of background check is required in FL that costs $75? It sounds like it involves a lot more than just crimes against children.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

... As coaches we have to due background checks and it is very quick and the cost is low to do it.

As it should be...coaches are spending unsupervised time with youth players at practice and team events and have opportunity to cultivate inappropriate relationships.

A sports official is only interacting with these kids on the field of play with several other people watching. The "opportunity" as a result of the event itself is extremely limited.

In my neighborhood, we are required to submit to a fingerprint clearance check, the same thing that teachers undergo. It costs approx $60 just to have the fingerprinting done, then and additional $15-20 for the check. This is in addition to some of the highest registration and lowest game fees in the country.

All this as a knee-jerk reaction to a person that was arrested for sexual misconduct with two minor females that had NOTHING to do with the fact that he was a HS softball umpire.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

I have been informed that someone who currently works HS sports locally is a sex offender but is being protected by others. This is a real sore spot growing up I knew of at least one kid molested by someone who was involved with youth sports.

CO just added a requirement to provide an arrest report every three years, and account for the disposition of all arrests that show on the report. I still doubt it will do any good.

The kid you knew, was he molested by a sports official in a way aided by that officials duties as an official?

I've never been left alone with a kid in a school, nor should I be. I don't understand what dangerous contact is currently going on that would be eliminated by background checks.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Not in Ohio and Michigan.

MTD, Sr.

Michigan (MHSAA) does do criminal background checks. I know very few instances where it has been an issue, but we did have one non-softball official have his registration suspended after he was arrested, and subsequently plead guilty, to a count of CSC which occurred while he was substitute teaching.

The MHSAA does a simple criminal name check and does not do a full scale background check with fingerprints required. I do know that several years ago I was required to be fingerprinted because I was an employee of the Rec League and worked with minors officiating and umpiring multiple sports. The fingerprints were no big deal to me because I also teach and have to be fingerprinted for that.

The strictest national organization in regards to background checks is USA Swimming. They have taken a very hard stance on prior issues with coaches and athletes (young), and have very strict rules regarding Athlete Protection Training (APT) and background checks. We are required to get a background check every 2 or 3 years, and do APT every 2 years. The background check does include multiple checks and has been known to produce false positive results (my drug possession conviction in a city I've never been to).