University announces phased approach to background checks

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — University officials have been working over the past several months to develop an operational plan for conducting background checks required by recent changes to Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law. This law went into effect in December 2014 and includes Penn State within its definition of a “school” that is covered by the law.

Although discussions continue with state officials to clarify the specific types of positions that are covered by the new law, senior leadership has approved the decision for Penn State move forward with compliance with the law in a phased approach.

“This plan is based upon the information we have received from the state to date,” said Regis Becker, chief ethics and compliance officer. “We are continuing to discuss potential changes to the interpretation and implementation of the new requirements, so we will need to remain flexible as new information becomes available. If changes in the requirements do happen, the University will let those affected know.”

In addition to regular communications on Penn State Today and other University platforms, faculty and staff members who will be required to obtain clearances will be notified through communications with their HR representatives.

The changes are being implemented in phases. Since Jan. 1, 2014, all current employees, volunteers, independent contractors and new hires in traditional youth programs have been required to obtain three clearances (Pennsylvania State Police, child abuse and FBI) prior to working with children. The decision has been made that all full-time hires will also obtain these background checks, consistent with the law, beginning in March 2015. This practice is consistent with most other Pennsylvania institutions of higher education, including universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and other state-related institutions.

The background checks are already underway for current employees in the following areas:

— Health services (mental and physical health services);

— Student recruitment (Admissions, Athletics, and other roles who recruit students to attend Penn State);

— Museums and libraries;

— Instructional and recreation services (music lessons, tutoring, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, etc.);

— Residence Life (resident assistants living in graduate student housing where there is a prevalence of residents who have children);

— Auxiliary and Business Services staff working in roles supporting summer youth programs, as well as hotel and restaurant employees working with minors, advisers and staff.

An additional phase of implementation is scheduled to begin in September 2015 when all faculty, teaching assistants, undergraduate academic advisers, Student Affairs and Residence Life staff, and all remaining employees identified as working with children, will be required to complete the three publicly-available background checks. A decision about employees not previously covered by the phased approach described above will be finalized after discussions are concluded with state officials and senior leadership. Additional information will be provided as updates become available.

Information on clearances, including budgeting and reimbursement considerations, are available on the background checks section of the Office of Ethics and Compliance’s website.

Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law went into effect in December 2014 and includes Penn State within its definition of a “school” that is covered by the law. Penn State is moving forward with compliance with the law in a phased approach. Credit: Laura Waldhier / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated March 25, 2015