Background checks

Posted Fri, 2011-09-30 10:25 by admin

PA LAW AFFECTS CLERGY AND CHURCH EMPLOYEES

Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. 6344.2) requires background checks of clergy and church employees hired after July 1, 2008.  This would include any church employees who may come into contact with children - including janitorial staff and office workers.  

The laws statement of applicability is as follows:

"This section applies to prospective employees applying to engage in occupations with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children, in the form of care, guidance, supervision or training.  Such persons include social service workers, hospital personnel, mental health professionals, members of the clergy, counselors, librarians and doctors."

The required reports are the:

  • Pennsylvania State Police background check
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history clearance

There is no requirement that employees hired prior to July 1, 2008 obtain the background checks, and no requirement that the background checks be updated later.  The state considers a background check to be current (for the purposes of hiring) if it has been done within one year prior to date of hire.  Congregations hiring employees or calling rostered leaders after July 1, 2008, should be mindful of their need to comply with PA Law.

Pennsylvania State Police background check
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Pdf/FillinForms/statepolice-bkgd.pdf
Applicant is responsible for the $10 fee (certified check or money order)

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Instructions
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/PartnersProviders/ChildWelfare/003671038.htm 

Form
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Pdf/FillInForms/DPWchildabuse.pdf 
Applicant is responsible for the $10 fee (certified check or money order)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history clearance
https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm
Applicant is responsible for $36 fee 

The applicant can register on-line and must register before going in for the fingerprint scans.  Then a trip to a local office to do the scan must take place.  The rest will go through normal channels until the report comes back to the applicant.

OR

You can contact Keith Larmann - one of the principals for H.R. Screening Services, Inc.
412-517-1212 - Extension 101

H.R. Screenings, Inc.
680 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238