A Step Towards Better Safety Of Children Through New California Law
Assembly Bill 465 has been signed by the Governor of California, Jerry Brown that will help in securing the children participating in various community youth athletic programs from volunteer coaches who have been convicted for cases of sexual abuse and violent activities. A consistent criminal background check policy all over the state of California will help in tightening the safety of children. The bill has been co-authored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (R-San Diego) and states that all the community sports programs have the right to conduct criminal background checks on volunteer coaches. An authority for the request of subsequent arrest notifications from the Department of Justice is also mentioned in the Assembly Bill 465.
The Assembly Bill 465 will amend Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code and also states that it will not remove or limit the liability of mandated reporter. The law, under defined guidelines on The Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training Project, requires a mandated reporter to report cases of child abuse to local law enforcement.
The signing of this bill is definitely a step towards better safety of children in California. It will prevent cases of sexual assault or violent attitude towards children by conducting criminal background checks on all volunteer coaches. Other states in the country are also expected to enforce such laws that help in creating a safe environment for children and everyone around them.