On-Ice Officials Must Comply with Pennsylvania Act 15 Screening Policy

On July 1, 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania placed into law, Act 15 of 2015 (which amended Act 153 of 2014) and established various screening and background check requirements for those persons who are "responsible for a child's welfare or have direct and routine contact with children". This Act applies to academic institutions, childcare programs as well as youth sports programs, teams and associations. As a result, the AAHA is setting forth the following policy;

1) For the those programs, associations, leagues and ice rinks within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which are member programs of the AAHA and utilize paid or volunteer individuals, including but not limited to; coaches, on-ice game officials, team managers, trainers, locker room attendants and other persons having direct contact with minor children through their involvement with youth hockey activities are compelled to verify that their volunteers and employees comply with the screening requirements in Pennsylvania Act 15.

2) In order to comply with the new Pennsylvania Law; officials shall submit to PA State Police Screening, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History and FBI Criminal History.

(a) For the PA State Police Criminal Background Check - https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp

AND

(b) For the Child Abuse History - http://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

AND

(c) For FBI Criminal Background Check Follow this link for instructions (Unless Exemption applies) -https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm

NOTE: Date for completion: The AAHA requires all paid persons hired after December 31, 2014 to complete the appropriate Act 15 screening process before beginning work or service.

PROCESS FOR ON-ICE GAME OFFICIALS

1) All AAHA registered On-ice Game Officials, 14 years of age or older, who reside in Pennsylvania and/or who will officiate in Pennsylvania must comply with PA Act 15, and obtain all three (3) Checks (FBI, State Police and Child Abuse Certificates).

2) All level 1 officials who were not registered USAH Officials as of December 31, 2014 and reside or officiate in Pennsylvania may not accept any assignments until completing the all three (3) Checks (FBI, State Police and Child Abuse Certificates).

3) All On-ice Game officials shall be required to submit their valid screening credentials to the Affiliate, either by mail, fax or email.

4) The Affiliate shall maintain a database of those officials that have completed the PA Act 15 screening process and have appropriately filed their credentials with the Affiliate. You must send in a copy of your completed screening in order to be considered "complete" with all of your necessary requirements.

5) To mail your screening credentials: Colleen Marinari, Ex. Director-AAHA - 1623 Hilltop Road - Spring City, PA 19475. You may email your credentials to: info@Atlantic-District.org or you may fax it to 610-539-1622.

6) For those officials that reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or who will officiate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will only need to do their screenings in compliance with Act 15. You are not required to do the USA Hockey requirement of being screened thru the Atlantic District.

7) For those officials that DO NOT reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you are not required to complete the PA Act 15 screening process, unless you plan on officiating games within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The same process will apply for out-of-state officials.

8) For those officials that DO NOT reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor will officiate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, will need to complete their screenings per USA Hockey requirements. All of these officials must be screened using the Atlantic District screening policy as shown on website, www.atlantic- district.org and thru the Verified Volunteers Screening Company.

9) If an individual is arrested for or convicted of an offense that would constitute grounds for denying employment or participation in a program, activity or services under Act 15, or is named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report, the individual shall provide their program administrator or designee with written notice not later than 72 hours after the arrest, conviction or notification that the person has been listed as a perpetrator in the Statewide database.