Earlier this week, the California Assembly passed with unanimous support a bill (AB465) by Assemblymembers Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) to protect children who participate in youth sports programs from sexually abusive and violent individuals.A
The bill now proceeds to the Governor for his consideration.
Via August 2013 Bonilla’s Capitol Connection
As part of her strong dedication to protecting children who participate in youth sports, Assemblymember Susan Bonilla is the lead author of a bipartisan public safety bill [officially designated as AB 465] which passed the State Senate earlier this month with unanimous support.
This bill addresses the great inconsistency across the state on background checks for volunteer coaches in youth sports programs. Some leagues conduct background checks on all candidates while others do not perform any review of criminal backgrounds. AB 465 clarifies that all community youth sports programs in California are authorized to administer criminal background checks on volunteer coaches and also authorizes these programs to request subsequent arrest notification from the Department of Justice. This ensures that the most appropriate individuals work with our children and any new criminal offenses that may influence hiring decisions are communicated to sports program administrators.
“Over the years, my four daughters were involved in many sports,” said Bonilla. “I am proud that AB 465 is a bipartisan initiative to improve safety for all children pursuing the benefits of community youth sports programs.”
AB 465 is supported by several law enforcement agencies including the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and California Police Chiefs Association.
AB465
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
11105.3.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a human resource agency or an employer may request from the Department of Justice records of all convictions or any arrest pending adjudication involving the offenses specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code of a person who applies for a license, employment, or volunteer position, in which he or she would have supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor or any person under his or her care. The department shall furnish the information to the requesting employer and shall also send a copy of the information to the applicant.