Jun 11, 2015 3 min read

Legislation moved Wednesday by the state House will waive the fee for state criminal and child abuse background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law for volunteers who work with children.

The legislation, HB 1276, is expected to be voted on final passage by the House Monday, state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, said.

Gov. Tom Wolf supported the effort and met with those involved to arrange a solution, Snyder said.

“We’re confident this piece of legislation will take care of the issue,” she said.

Snyder co-sponsored HB 1081, that would exempt volunteer firefighters and emergency responders from paying the fee for the required clearances. Language from that bill was included in HB 1276, she said.

“Our first responsibility has always been to protect our children, but now we also have the opportunity to spare our volunteers from burdensome background clearance fees,” she said.

Snyder held a news conference June 5 at Jefferson Fire Hall to highlight the need to amend fee requirements.

Many volunteer fire companies simply can’t afford the cost of obtaining clearances, she said. The costs can be up to $47.50 in combined state and federal clearance fees every three years for firefighters and emergency service providers, she said.

Changes in the Child Protective Services Law came about in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal by former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, a Washington native.

One of the requirements mandates people who routinely work or interact with children, including volunteer firefighters and emergency responders, complete the background checks by July 1.

Wolf announced Wednesday the state will waive the fee for background checks for volunteers who work with children.

He also announced the state Department of Human Services and the state police will reduce the cost of child abuse and criminal record checks from $10 to $8 for people seeking employment for work with children and other applicants.

FBI clearances are also required for all employees and volunteers who have not been a state resident for the last 10 years, but because these are administered by the federal government the current costs will continue to apply.

The waiver announced by Wolf will take effect July 25.

Snyder commended Wolf for his policy action but said the waiver should be codified in law so it can’t be changed years from now if a governor decided to change the policy.

Snyder said she expected the HB 1276 to move quickly through the House and Senate. It’s possible it could be signed into law by the end of the month.

“First responders who have proven their integrity and value to their communities deserve a break from the financial burdens of such background checks,” Snyder said. “Efforts to bolster our volunteers with legislation must not slacken.”