What has CHANGED since the initial law was enacted?

• August 25, 2015 is now the compliance deadline for new volunteers to secure their clearances and FBI criminal history (if required).

• There is no cost for volunteer clearances (PSP Criminal History and DHS Child Abuse) after July 25, 2015.

• The FBI criminal history clearance (for volunteers who have not been residents of Pennsylvania for the past ten years or residents of other states) is required only once upon establishing residency and when first applying for volunteer service.

• The cost of the FBI criminal history clearance through DHS has been reduced to $25.75 after July 25, 2015.

• Volunteer clearances (PSP Criminal History and DHS Child Abuse) are valid for 60 months.

• Volunteer clearances may be applied for, at no cost to the volunteer, every 57 months.

• Organizations are permitted to accept non-original copies of the required documents from volunteers.

Department of Human Services Interpretations specific to the Boy Scouts of America:

• At a Minsi Trails Council owned Summer Resident Camp.  This includes; Akelaland, Camp Minsi and Settlers Camp - clearances ARE REQUIRED of parents/guardians who attend camp as volunteers, as they may be acting in lieu of a parent and will have routine interaction and direct contact with youth.

• Venturers or Explorers – Clearances are NOT required for 18-20 year old Venturers or Explorers, as they are not volunteers but program participants (even if these youth are providing leadership to youth under 18 years of age).

• Special Needs Scouts – Clearances are NOT required for special needs Scouts (age 18+) as they are program participants.

• Lion Adult Partners – Clearances are NOT required for Lion Adult Partners as they are participating in the BSA program as parents. Clearances ARE required for Lion Den Leaders.

• Tiger Adult Partners – Clearances are NOT required for Tiger Adult Partners as they are participating in the BSA program as parents. Clearances ARE required for Tiger Den Leaders.

• Merit Badge Counselors – Clearances ARE REQUIRED for Merit Badge Counselors.

• Eagle Boards of Review – Clearances are NOT required for community volunteers serving on Eagle Boards of Review.

• Drivers to camps or events or unit meetings – if a parent asks another parent (parent to parent) to drive their son to an event or camp or meeting then clearances are NOT required. If however a carpool is organized or drivers are recruited by the unit’s leaders, then clearances ARE REQUIRED.

• Parents helping with fundraisers (Show and Sell and/or store front sales) – if the parent will be or could be responsible for a child other than their own son (or daughter) then clearances ARE REQUIRED.

• Parents helping with "Scouting for Food" (door hanger drop off or food pick up) – if the parent will be or could be responsible for a child other than their own son (or daughter) then clearances ARE REQUIRED.

• Adults who stay occasionally at a meeting to help out – clearances are NOT required unless their participation becomes a weekly occurrence.

• At meetings or day events where parents are attending with their sons – clearances are NOT required of parents as volunteers.

• At events where every Scout must participate with their parent(s) – clearances are NOT required of parents as volunteers.

• At events where Scouts are participating without their parent(s) – clearances ARE REQUIRED of parents as volunteers, as they may be acting in lieu of a parent and will have routine interaction and direct contact with youth.

The best source for updates, forms, and resources related to this newest legislation continues to be:http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/