News and Announcements
New Pennsylvania State Laws on Mandated Background Checks
In addition to the annual Little League mandatory back checks for all volunteers, the Pennsylvania State Legislature has a law that all persons having repetitive contact with children have the following clearances, criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police and Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services.
Additionally, a fingerprint based federal criminal history (FBI) submitted
through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent is required if
the position the volunteer is applying
for is a paid position; and the volunteer has lived outside the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in the last 10 years.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently passed a state law known as the Child Protective Services Law. The intent of this law is to protect the youth of Pennsylvania. All youth serving organizations within the Commonwealth are covered under this new law. Volunteers in all District 22 Leagues are required to provide background check clearances. Please review this information and take the required action.
Who is required to comply with the new Pennsylvania law?
All adults who have care, supervision, contact with children or routine interaction with children must have proper clearances. All registered Coaches and Assistant Coaches (all seasons), Team Parents, Umpires, Board Members and all other direct-contact volunteers must have proper clearances.
Pennsylvania State Mandated Background Checks:
In addition to the annual Little League mandatory back checks for all volunteers, the Pennsylvania State Legislature has a law that all persons having repetitive contact with children have the following clearances, criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police and Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services. Additionally, a fingerprint based federal criminal history (FBI) submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent is required if the position the volunteer is applying for is a paid position; and the volunteer has lived outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the last 10 years.
Please see the Links section of our website for the following links to the Pennsylvania Criminal History Check, the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance Check and the Federal Criminal Background Check.
Pennsylvania Criminal History Check - https://epatch.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance - https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
Federal Criminal Background Check - https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pdeNew.htm
Dear Parents,
OWLL could not provide an outstanding experience to the children of our community without your help as either a coach or volunteer. Please consider helping us again this year. In addition to the Background Check required by Little League, the state of Pennsylvania passed a new Child Protective Services Law that requires many of our volunteers to obtain a State Child Abuse Clearance and either a State Criminal History Check or a Federal Criminal History Check. The federal check is only required if you have NOT lived in the state of Pennsylvania during the past 10 years. The state checks are free of charge for volunteers; however, there is a fee for the federal check.
If you are able to volunteer, Please print and complete the (below attached) form AND please complete the state child abuse clearance and either the state criminal history check or the federal criminal history check. We will also require a copy of your drivers license. A description of the new law and links to the state and federal background check systems is contained below.
OWLL is required to perform a background check (through Little League) for each volunteer and each individual volunteer is required to provide proof of these state (and federal if required) clearances. Please drop-off at one of our walk-in registration sessions or mail to our P.O Box.
We will also be conducting mandatory meetings for all volunteers before the start of practices to collect forms and provide an update on these new laws.
Thank you.
OWLL's league divisions have changed for 2016. We will still operate five divisions, (1) Majors (2) Minors (3) AAA (4) AA and (5) T-Ball; however, we have eliminated the coach pitch division for 6 year olds and added the AAA division primarily for 8 year olds. 6 and 7 year olds will be combined in the AA division where they will be exposed to machine pitch at a slower speed to allow for a better opportunity for skills development thorough more consistency. Please see the attached document below for a complete description of our 5 playing divisions.
