PA Act 15 (Child Protective Services Law)
In 2015, two laws that impact how volunteers obtain clearances were implemented. The first law, PA Act 153, was signed by Governor Tom Corbett in 2014 and in force as of December 31, 2014. The second law, PA Act 15 of 2015, was signed by Governor Tom Wolf and in force on August 25, 2015 (superseding portions of PA Act 153).
As with any youth organization in Pennsylvania, the law has a direct impact on Scouting volunteers as it requires them to obtain background clearances to volunteer with our council. It is important to note that while the Boy Scouts of America conducts background checks on its own because they are performed by a third party service, they do not meet the requirements as prescribed in the law.
As a result, all volunteers will need to obtain additional background checks following the information outlined below.
| Pennsylvania Leaders | New York Leaders | |
Effective Immidately #1 August 25, 2015 #2 #3 #4 | All newly registering leaders must submit the following forms along with their approved BSA Adult application:
(Waiver applies if you have lived in PA for ten or more consecutive years). | All newly registering leaders must submit the following forms along with their approved BSA Adult application:
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| December 31, 2015 | All currently registered leaders looking to renew their membership at the annual re charter time must submit the following forms along with the unit re charter paperwork:
(Waiver applies if you have lived in PA for ten or more consecutive years). | All currently registered leaders looking to renew their membership at the annual re charter time must submit the following forms along with the unit re charter paperwork:
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Who Needs Background Clearances?
- All Baden-Powell Council paid staff who work with youth in Pennsylvania, regardless of their job responsibilities, must have proper clearances.
- All registered Scouters, regardless of their position responsibilities, must have proper clearances.
- All non-registered adults who may have care, supervision, guidance or control of children, or routine interaction with children must have proper clearances and are encouraged to become registered Scouters.
- Examples:
- Any adult that regularly stays for a den meeting and ends up assisting with projects being worked on, serving snacks, or monitoring restroom breaks.
- Any adult that lends a helping hand at the pack meeting or at pack activities such as Pinewood Derbies, day trips, camping weekends, etc.
- Any adult that acts as a driver for the activity
- Examples:
In order to assist you with who is required to comply with the new PA law, Baden-Powell Council Board has developed a flow chart for you to determine if you need the required clearances
Clearance Process for New Volunteers
Which Clearances Are Required?
All volunteers must obtain the following clearances:
- Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
- Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse).
- Fingerprint based federal criminal history (FBI) submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent.
- Not required if:
- The position the volunteer is applying for is unpaid; and
- The volunteer has been a Pennsylvania resident continuously for the past 10 years.
Volunteers who are not required to obtain the FBI Clearance because they are applying for an unpaid position and have been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must swear or affirm in writing that they are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of an offense.
- Not required if:
Clearance Process for New Volunteers
When Are Clearances Required?
Volunteers are required to obtain clearances as follows:
- Starting August 25, 2015 all NEW volunteers must obtain clearances prior to beginning service.
- Clearances must be renewed every 57 months.
How Do I Get The Needed Clearances?
Clearances must be paid for by the volunteer. When finished, an original copy of the provided certificate must be submitted. See the submission instructions below.
- PA State Police criminal history ($8.00 Waived)
- PA Department of Human Services clearance ($8.00 Waived)
3. Volunteers needing clearances under the law that have lived in the state of Pennsylvania for less than ten consecutive years (including the current year) must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI Background Check. 
This background check carries a $27.50 fee, but must only be obtained once provided you continue to live in the state of Pennsylvania. You must register and pay before you visit the fingerprinting site (note that some may require that you call ahead to register for an appointment).
- Visit https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania
- Click on “Digital Fingerprinting.” On the next screen, enter the Service Code, which is: 1KG6ZJ.
- Click on Schedule or Manage Appointment.
- Click on Locate an Enrollment Center first to find the location to complete your fingerprints check that is closest to you, then go back to the Schedule an Appointment option. The company is continuing to add new fingerprinting locations.
- Follow the prompts for completing the required information and printing the registration form to take to the fingerprinting location.
- Visit https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania
What If I Am Exempt From the FBI Fingerprint Check?
The FBI Fingerprint check is required for all employees. Volunteers may be exempt if the position the volunteer is applying for is unpaid; and the volunteer has been a Pennsylvania resident continuously for the past 10 years.
Volunteers who are not required to obtain the FBI Clearance because they are applying for an unpaid position and have been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must swear or affirm in writing that they are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of an offense. To do this, complete and submit the following form: BPCBSA DISCLOSURE STATEMENT for VOLUNTEERS in place of FBI Clearance
What If I Have Already Obtained Clearances For Another Organization?
Employees must obtain new clearances even if they have obtained them for another employer or volunteer organization. Volunteers may carry clearances from one organization to another provided that 1) they present the original clearance reports, and 2) clearances are no older than 36 months.
What If I am Registered in a Unit, but do not work directly with Scouts? (EX. Charter Organizational Rep, Institutional Head, Committee Member)
If you are registered with a Scouting Unit, but do not work with scouts directly you are not required to obtain clearances. Please complete the Waiver – State Mandated Background Checks and submit it to your unit committee chair.
What If I Do Not Live in Pennsylvania?
Employees working for the Baden-Powell Council no matter where they live must complete the three required checks. Volunteers that live outside of the state that volunteer for the Baden-Powell Council must complete the required checks. Out of State volunteers who volunteer for another scout council are allowed to work with youth in PA provided 1) the time period involved is no longer than 30 days at a time, and 2) they meet the volunteer background check requirements of their state of residence.
How Do I Submit My Background Clearances?
To submit completed background clearances follow these steps:
For Volunteers Registered after July 1, 2015 for Youth Protection and August 25, 2015 for PA Background Checks
All new leaders registering in the Baden Powell Council must submit their BSA Youth Protection Training certificate of completion along with their approved BSA adult application. In addition, all newly registering Pennsylvania leaders must also submit all forms of PA clearances along with their approved adult application and BSA Youth Protection Certificate. (Applications submitted to the Scout Service Center without the above mentioned forms will not be processed).
For Volunteers Registered before August 25, 2015
All currently registered volunteers will need to complete their required background checks or waiver forms before December 30, 2015 and submit a copy of their clearances with their units recharter paperwork. The Unit Committee Chair must see the Original Documents before accepting copies. Please do not send directly to the council service center.
Mandated Reporter Updates
Along with the changes for background checks, laws related to who is a Mandated Reporter have been updated. All Scout volunteers at all times are mandated reporters. For further information related to Mandated Reporters see below:
PA Mandatory Reporters Brochure
Additional Questions?
For additional questions please contact Scout Executive Matthew Bull at 607-648-7888 X 105.
In 2015, two laws that impact how volunteers obtain clearances were implemented. The first law, PA Act 153, was signed by Governor Tom Corbett in 2014 and in force as of December 31, 2014. The second law, PA Act 15 of 2015, was signed by Governor Tom Wolf and in force on August 25, 2015 (superseding portions of PA Act 153).
As with any youth organization in Pennsylvania, the law has a direct impact on Scouting volunteers as it requires them to obtain background clearances to volunteer with our council. It is important to note that while the Boy Scouts of America conducts background checks on its own because they are performed by a third party service, they do not meet the requirements as prescribed in the law.