PA Child Protective Services Law

Child Protective Services Law and its Impact on Volunteers in the Cradle of Liberty Council

How do I know if I need a clearance

 

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted the Child Protective Services Law in 2015. The intent of this law is to protect the youth of Pennsylvania. All youth serving organizations within the Commonwealth are covered under this law. Volunteers, registered and unregistered, in the Cradle of Liberty Council are affected in two ways; we are mandated child abuse reporters and required to provide background check clearances.

 

Who is required to comply with the Pennsylvania law? Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • All individuals seeking to become volunteers for Scouting in the state of Pennsylvania must have proper clearances before beginning volunteer work with Scout youth, as well as complete a new Boy Scouts of America Adult Application and online Youth Protection Training.
  • All registered unit, district, and council Scouters, regardless of their position responsibilities must have proper clearances.  This includes Scouts BSA and Venturers turning 18.
  • All non-registered adults who may have care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children must have proper clearances and should be encouraged to become registered Scouters. The following serve as examples of adults in this category.  These examples are not inclusive of all possibilities but are examples to help you begin to think about the way your unit uses non-registered adults.
    • Clearances are required if a carpool is organized or drivers are recruited by the unit’s leaders. If organized parent to parent the clearances is not needed.
    • At events/camps where Scouts are participating without their parent(s), clearances are required. If parents are required for the Scout to attend, clearances are not required (unless the event/activity is greater than 72 hours); example Summer Resident Camp.  If greater, registration in the BSA, Youth Protection Training and PA Act 15 clearances are all required.
    • Parents helping with fundraisers – if the parent will be or could be responsible for a child other than their own son (or daughter) then clearances are required.
    • Clearances are not required for adults who stay occasionally at a meeting to help out unless their participation becomes a regular occurrence.

Please review this information below and take the required action as it pertains to your role.

new act 15
existing act 15
camp staff
lion & tiger
camp cit or vol

According to PA state law, we can only accept a handwritten “wet” signature or a registered digital signature. If you are unable to print or scan this document, you can download and use the free version of Adobe Acrobat to obtain a registered digital signature.

 

To do this:

 

  • Open the document with Adobe and click on More Tools (right hand side at the bottom)
  • Open Certificates (click on the ‘open’ underneath)
  • Click on Digitally Sign (at the top of the document)
  • Click on the signature line and drag the cursor to create a box for your signature.
  • If this is the first time using this option, it will have you create a digital signature, otherwise it will let you choose formerly created signatures.
  • Click Continue, then Sign then save the signed document.
Upload Clearances Here

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

  1. Pennsylvania Website on Child Protection: www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov
  2. Pennsylvania Volunteer FAQ: keepkidssafe.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_135249.pdf
  3. Pennsylvania Mandated Reporter FAQ: keepkidssafe.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_137646.pdf
  4. BSA Volunteer FAQ

 

Any questions or issues please email registrar@colbsa.org or call (484) 654-9214