Howard Applauds Passage of Background Check Bill

HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) hailed final passage of his proposal which requires background checks on youth sports coaches, instructors, athletic trainers and youth camp employees to better protect our children.

“We must be cognizant that volunteer sports coaches hold positions which place them in direct contact with children. A background check is a common-sense approach in preventing possible abuse of minors,” said Rep. Greg Howard, who is also a volunteer Stonington football coach. “These simple background checks ensure we identify people with a history of crimes or offenses involving minors or other vulnerable persons never get access to children.”

The bill, HB-6417 requires certain municipalities and other youth athletic activity operators and youth camps to conduct comprehensive background checks on certain prospective employees

This bill requires background checks for adults who work with children in summer camps and for adults who coach youth sports. All employees over the age of 18 will be required to submit either a background check through the National Sex Offender Registry, the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, the DCF Sex Offender Registry or a Fingerprint National Background Check.

Current Connecticut law requires all public-school employees hired on or after July 1, 1994, including coaches, to submit to state and national criminal history record checks when they are hired. In addition, school boards have the option of requiring checks of employees hired earlier. The law also allows private schools to require their applicants and employees to submit to checks. The state criminal records check requirement does not apply to those who volunteer in schools or to non-school-sponsored activities.

The bill passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly and now moves to the State Senate for further action.