Beginning July 1, 2015 volunteers are required to obtain background checks, including the Child Abuse History Clearance, issued by the Department of Human Services, and the Criminal History Record Check, issued by the Pennsylvania State Police. On June 10, 2015 Governor Tom Wolf announced that fees for child abuse clearances and criminal background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law will be waived for volunteers working with children.  Additionally, the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania State Police will reduce the cost of the child abuse and criminal history record checks to $8.00 as opposed to the original $10.00 for all other applicants. 

FBI clearances are also required for volunteers who have not been a resident the commonwealth for the last ten years.  Despite Governor Wolf’s announcement waiving fees for volunteers and reducing fees for all other applicants, the fees to obtain the FBI clearances will remain the same because these are administered by the federal government. 

For more information regarding Governor Wolf’s announcement, contact Tim Malloy at (484) 334-8371 or tmalloy@barley.com.