Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 9, 2013 Franklin Lakes Ordinance requires immediate background checks by Frank J. McMahon The section of the Franklin Lakes Borough Code enti- tled “Criminal History Background Checks” is expected to be amended by the borough council next week. The update would require all employees and volunteers of youth-serv- ing recreation programs to have a satisfactory criminal background check prior to participating in any activity for which a criminal history background check is required. Previously, the employees and volunteers had a 30-day grace period to obtain a satisfactory criminal background check. In addition, all program directors and coaches must attend, and become certified through, the Rutgers Uni- versity Athletic Safety Program. There would be a 30-day grace period from this requirement for each new program director and coach. The borough has had an ordinance pertaining to crimi- nal background checks since 2007, when an ordinance required criminal history background checks for any person with unsupervised direct access to minors involved in any youth-serving recreation organization as a condition of using the borough’s facilities. In 2008, the code was amended to require that all employees and volunteers of youth-serving recreation orga- nizations request the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police, or an authorized vendor, to con- duct a criminal history record background check on each prospective and current employee or volunteer of the orga- nization. At that time, a 30-day grace period was permitted for employees and volunteers to apply for this background check. Under the current code, the borough must conduct a criminal history record background check upon receipt of the written consent for the check from the prospective or current person with direct unsupervised access to minors. The borough must bear the costs associated with conduct- ing the check. The Division of State Police or the authorized vendor then informs the borough’s police department if the per- son’s criminal history record background check reveals a conviction of a disqualifying crime or offense. Any infor- mation received by the police department must be held con- fidential. Any person who, by virtue of his or her occupation, is required by statute to undergo a federal and state criminal history record background check similar in nature to the requirements contained herein, and who can provide proof of the results of such background check, is exempt from the requirement of this code until two years have elapsed since the most current background check. Access to criminal history record information for non- criminal justice purposes, including licensing and employ- ment, is restricted to the members of the police department as authorized by the state and any criminal history record information furnished cannot be disseminated to persons or organizations not authorized to receive the records for authorized purposes. If, however, a person’s background check reveals a record of conviction of any crime or disorderly persons offense, that person may be disqualified from serving as an employee or volunteer of a youth-serving recreation orga- nization. That employee or volunteer must be provided with an opportunity to challenge the accuracy of the informa- tion contained in the criminal history record and a person is not presumed guilty of any charges or arrests for which there are no final dispositions. Safety (continued from page 4) and be assigned there during his shift. He could do rou- tine paperwork while being visible and accessible for the children. Another suggestion related to a heroin education program at the Jr/Sr High School. Students availing them- selves of the program would receive a homework pass. Discussion also included a Senior Citizen call in to police program, street lights that appear to be low volt- age and do not provide adequate illumination on Franklin Avenue, Morrow Road and Dairy Street, and exploring a safety patrol program. Peet urged residents to attend future meetings and voice their concerns. Goals and objectives and procedural issues will be discussed at the next meeting, she said.