[Adopted 9-27-2005 by Ord. No. 1143]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 18, Criminal History Background Check, regarding employees of the Board of Education.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD BACKGROUND CHECK
A determination of whether a person has a criminal record by cross-referencing that person's name and/or fingerprints with those on file with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division, and/or the State Bureau of Identification of the New Jersey State Police.
DEPARTMENT
The Township of Haddon Police Department.
NONPROFIT YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATION or ORGANIZATION
A corporation, association or other organization established pursuant to Title 15 or 15A of the New Jersey statutes, or other law of this state, which provides recreational, cultural, charitable, social or other activities or services for persons younger than 18 years of age, and is exempt from federal income taxes.
TOWNSHIP-SPONSORED PROGRAMS
Any program sponsored or in any way supported by the Township which provide and utilize Township facilities and/or Township property.
VOLUNTEER
Any person involved with a nonprofit youth serving organization which has direct access to minors as a result of their involvement with the organization.
A. 
The Township requires that all employees and volunteers of a nonprofit youth serving organization request through the Department that the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police conduct a criminal history record background check on each prospective and current employee or volunteer of the organization.
B. 
The Division of State Police shall inform the Department whether the person's criminal history record background check reveals a conviction of a disqualifying crime or offense set forth in § 172-17 of this article.
C. 
The Township shall conduct a criminal history background check only upon receipt of the written consent to the check from the prospective or current employee or volunteer.
D. 
The Township shall bear the costs associated with conducting the criminal history record background checks.
A. 
A person may be disqualified from serving as an employee or volunteer of a nonprofit youth serving organization if that person's criminal history record background check reveals a record of conviction of any of the following crimes or offenses:
(1) 
New Jersey, any crime or disorderly persons offense:
(a) 
Involving danger to the person, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1 et seq., N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 et seq., N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1 et seq., N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1 et seq., or N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 et seq.
(b) 
Against the family, children or incompetents, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1 et seq.
(c) 
Involving theft as set forth in Chapter 20 of Title 2C of the New Jersey statutes.
(d) 
Involving any controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog as set forth in Chapter 35 of Title 2C of the New Jersey statutes, except Paragraph (4) of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10
(2) 
In any other state or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in New Jersey, would constitute any of the crimes or disorderly persons offenses described in Subsection A(1) of this section.
B. 
The determination of whether the information contained in the criminal history record is sufficient to disqualify an employee or volunteer shall be made by the Chief of Police of the Township of Haddon. Any employee or volunteer dissatisfied with the determination by the Chief of Police shall be entitled to file an appeal with the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel created pursuant to § 172-21 of this article.
A. 
Prospective or current employees and volunteers of nonprofit youth serving organizations and/or employees and volunteers of Township-sponsored programs involving minors shall submit their name, address, fingerprints and written consent to the organization for the criminal history record background check to be performed. The organization shall submit this documentation to the Police Chief of the Township of Haddon, or his designee, who shall coordinate the background check.
B. 
The Department shall act as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information obtained as a result of conducting criminal history record background checks pursuant to this article.
C. 
The Township may, in its discretion, engage the services of a third-party independent agency to conduct the criminal history record background checks authorized under this article.
D. 
The Chief of Police, or his designee, shall coordinate a criminal history background check every two years after the initial check.
A. 
Access to criminal history record information for noncriminal justice purposes, including licensing and employment, is restricted to the Chief of Police and any member of the Appeal Panel pursuant to § 172-21 of this article as authorized by federal or state statute, rule or regulation, executive order, administrative code, local ordinance or resolution regarding obtaining and dissemination of criminal history record information obtained under this article.
B. 
The Chief of Police and any member of the Appeal Panel pursuant to § 172-21 of this article shall limit their use of criminal history record information solely to the authorized purpose for which it was obtained, and criminal history record information furnished shall not be disseminated to persons or organizations not authorized to receive the records for authorized purposes. Use of this record shall be limited solely to the authorized purpose for which it was given, and it shall not be disseminated to any unauthorized persons. The record shall be destroyed immediately after it has served its intended and authorized purpose. Any person violating federal or state regulations governing access to criminal history record information may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.
If this criminal history record may disqualify an applicant or existing employee or volunteer for any purpose, the person making the determination shall provide the disqualified person with an opportunity to complete and challenge the accuracy of the information contained in the criminal history record. The disqualified person shall be afforded a reasonable period of time to challenge and complete this record. A person is not presumed guilty of any charges or arrests for which there are no final dispositions indicated on the record.
A. 
Criminal background check appeal process. If the Director of the Department of Parks and Public Property disqualifies an employee or volunteer or denies the challenge concerning the accuracy of a criminal history report, the employee or volunteer may appeal that determination by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk of the Township of Haddon no later than 20 days after receiving the determination from the Director of the Department of Parks and Public Property. Any appeal requested shall proceed before the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel.
B. 
Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel. In order to monitor and supervise the enforcement of this article by the Director of the Department of Parks and Public Property, the Township of Haddon hereby creates a Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel, which shall consist of three members. The composition of the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel shall be as follows:
(1) 
One member of the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel shall be the Director of Public Safety of the Township of Haddon.
(2) 
Two members of the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel shall be so selected by the Mayor and Commissioners of the Township of Haddon.
C. 
The terms of the members of the Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel shall be three years, with each member serving without compensation.
D. 
Powers. The Criminal Background Check Appeal Panel is granted and shall have and exercise, in addition to other powers herein granted, all the powers necessary and appropriate to carry out and execute the purposes of this chapter, including but not limited to the following:
(1) 
To hold hearings and adjudicate appeals by employees and volunteers dissatisfied with the determination of the Chief of Police concerning his disqualification of the employee or volunteer.
(2) 
To hold hearings and adjudicate appeals by employees and volunteers dissatisfied with the determination of the Chief of Police concerning the accuracy of the criminal history record.
An annual audit/accounting of all financial records shall be conducted by the Township pursuant to accepted accounting procedures.