Rangers

Where Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks are part of a general background check for employment, volunteer work or licensing purposes, the following practices and procedures will generally be followed.

I. CORI checks will only be conducted as authorized by the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB). All applicants will be notified that a CORI check will be conducted. If requested, the applicant will be provided with a copy of the CORI policy.

II. An informed review of a criminal record requires adequate training. Accordingly, all personnel authorized to review CORI in the decision-making process will be thoroughly familiar with the educational materials made available by CHSB.

III. Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Rather, determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.

IV. If a criminal record is received from CHSB, the authorized individual will closely compare the record provided by CHSB with the information on the CORI request form and any other identifying information provided by the applicant, to ensure the record relates to the applicant.

V. If Hopkinton Little League is inclined to make an adverse decision based on the results of the CORI check, the applicant will be notified immediately. The applicant shall be provided with a copy of the criminal record and Hopkinton Little League’s CORI policy, advised of the part(s) of the record that make the individual unsuitable for the position, and given an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the CORI record.

VI. Applicants challenging the accuracy of the policy shall be provided a copy of CHSB’s Information Concerning the Process in Correcting a Criminal Record (see Addendum I). If the CORI record provided does not exactly match the identification information provided by the applicant, Hopkinton Little League will make a determination based on a comparison of the CORI record and documents provided by the applicant. The Hopkinton Little League may contact CHSB and request a detailed search consistent with CHSB policy.

VII. If Hopkinton Little League reasonably believes the record belongs to the applicant and is accurate, based on the information as provided in section IV on this policy, then the determination of suitability for the position will be made. Unless otherwise provided by law, factors considered in determining suitability may include, but not be limited to the following:

     a) Relevance of the crime to the position sought;

     b) The nature of the work to be performed;

     c) Time since the conviction;

     d) Age of the candidate at the time of the offense;

     e) Seriousness and specific circumstances of the offense;

     f) The number of offenses;

     g) Whether the applicant has pending charges;

     h) Any relevant evidence of rehabilitation or lack thereof;

     i) Any other relevant information, including information submitted by the candidate or requested by the hiring authority

VIII. Hopkinton Little League will notify the applicant of the decision and the basis of the decision in a timely manner.

 ADDENDUM I INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROCESS IN CORRECTING A CRIMINAL RECORD

1. If you have undergone a background check by an agency that has received a criminal record from the CHSB, you may ask the agency to provide you with a copy of the criminal record. You may also request a copy of your adult criminal record from the Criminal History Systems Board, 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150 by calling (617) 660-4640 or go to www.mass.gov/chsb/cori/cori_forms.html#pers.

2. The CHSB charges $25.00 fee to provide an individual with a copy of his/her criminal record. You may complete an affidavit of indigency and request that the CHSB waive the fee.

3. Upon receipt, review the record. If you need assistance in interpreting the entries or dispositions, please review the disposition code and "how to read a BOP" on the CHSB's website www.mass.gov/chsb/cori/cori_bop.html. The CHSB does not offer "walk- in" service but you may call our Legal Division at (617) 660-4760 for assistance or the CARI Unit of the Office of the Commissioner of Probation at (617) 727-5300.

4. If you believe that a case is opened on your record that should be marked closed, you may contact the Office of the Commissioner of Probation CARI Unit at (617) 727-5300 for assistance, or you may go to the Probation Department at the court where the charges were brought and request that the case(s) be updated.

5. If you believe that a disposition is incorrect, contact the Chief Probation Officer at the court where the charges were brought or the CARI Unit at the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and report that the court incorrectly entered a disposition on your criminal record.

6. If you believe that someone has stolen or improperly used your identity and were arraigned on criminal charges under your name, you may contact the Office of the Commissioner of Probation CARI Unit or the Chief Probation Officer in the court where the charges were brought. For a listing of courthouses and telephone numbers please see ww.mass.gov/chsb/cori/cori_codes_court.html.

7. In some situations of identity theft, you may need to contact the CHSB to arrange to have a fingerprint analysis conducted.

8. If there is a warrant currently outstanding against you, yo u need to appear at the court and ask that the warrant be recalled. You cannot do this over the telephone.

9. If you believe that an employer, volunteer agency, housing agency or municipality has been provided with a criminal record that does not pertain to you, the agency should contact the CORI Unit for assistance at (617) 660-4640.

Each league shall require that all of the following personnel have annually submitted a fully completed official “Little League Volunteer Application” to the local league president, prior to the applicant assuming his/her duties for the current season: Managers, Coaches, Board of Directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams.  The “Little League Volunteer Application” must be maintained by the president of the local league board of directors for all personnel named above, for a minimum of the duration of the applicant’s service to the league for that year.  Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the suspension or revocation of tournament privileges and/or the local league’s charter by action of the Charter or Tournament Committee in Williamsport.

Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules Section 1 (c) (9):

Each league shall conduct an annual background check on all personnel that are required to complete a “Little League Volunteer Application” prior to the applicant assuming his/her duties for the current season.  No local league shall permit any person to participate in any manner, whose background check reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a minor.  A local league may prohibit any individual from participating as a volunteer or hired worker, if the league deems the individual unfit to work with minors.  A local league must conduct a nationwide search that contains the applicable government sex offender registry data.