Bill > A06568

This bill mandates background checks for individuals employed by or volunteering at businesses that regularly provide instructional, recreational, or extracurricular services to minors, such as dance studios, martial arts academies, and tutoring centers, but excludes public or private schools and day care centers. A "covered person" is defined as anyone 18 or older who has direct responsibility for minors and has contact with them through these youth service providers, including operators, employees, regular volunteers (those volunteering over 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year), and independent contractors. These background checks, conducted by the youth service provider and overseen by the Division of Criminal Justice Services, must include searches of state and national sex offender registries and are required before employment or contracting begins, and at least every five years thereafter. Individuals who refuse a background check, lie on one, or are registered sex offenders are disqualified from working or volunteering, and registered sex offenders are prohibited from owning or operating such facilities. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms, including injunctions and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and allows for the suspension or revocation of operating licenses for non-compliance.