Section 80. Background checks

A. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, all persons who (i) accept a position of employment, (ii) volunteer on a regular basis or are interns and will be alone with a juvenile in the performance of their duties, or (iii) provide contractual services directly to a juvenile on a regular basis and will be alone with a juvenile in the performance of their duties in a CSU, or as required by 6VAC35-150-430 C, shall undergo the following background checks to ascertain whether there are criminal acts or other circumstances that would be detrimental to the safety of juveniles:

1. A reference check;

2. A criminal history record check;

3. A fingerprint check with (i) the Virginia State Police (VSP) and (ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);

4. A central registry check with Child Protective Services (CPS); and

5. A driving record check, if applicable to the individual's job duties.

B. To minimize vacancy time when the fingerprint checks required by subdivision 3 of this subsection have been requested, unit staff may be hired pending the results of the fingerprint checks, provided:

1. All of the other applicable components of subsection A of this section have been completed;

2. The applicant is given written notice that continued employment is contingent on the fingerprint check results, as required by subdivision A 3 of this section; and

3. Staff hired under this exception shall not be allowed to be alone with juveniles and may work with juveniles only when under the direct supervision of staff whose background checks have been completed until such time as all background checks are completed.

C. The unit, program, or service provider shall have procedures for supervising nonstaff persons, who are not subject to the provisions of subsection A of this section, who have contact with juveniles.

D. Subsection A of this section shall apply to programs to which the CSU refers juveniles who are before the court or before an intake officer, including, but not limited to, programs included in a local Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act plan. When an agency or program refers juveniles to other service providers, excluding community service programs and licensed professionals or programs licensed or regulated by other state agencies, the referring agency shall require the service provider to document that all persons who provide services or supervision through substantial one-on-one contact with juveniles have undergone a background check as required in subsection A of this section.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 14, Issue 02, eff. November 12, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 24, eff. October 1, 2002; amended, Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. July 1, 2011.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-233, 16.1-309.2 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.