As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BOROUGH-SPONSORED YOUTH PROGRAMS
Any programs sponsored by the Borough of Haddon Heights,
including the Haddon Heights Borough Athletic Association and any
and all leagues, boards and commissions falling within the purview
of or acting for or on behalf of the Borough of Haddon Heights, and
having contact with persons under the age of 18 years.
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD AND FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND CHECKS
A determination of whether a person has a criminal record
by cross-referencing that person's name and fingerprints with
those on file with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification
Division, and/or the New Jersey State Bureau of Identification in
the Division of State Police.
NONSPONSORED YOUTH PROGRAMS
Any youth program not sponsored by the Borough of Haddon
Heights, but that utilizes municipal facilities or has affiliation
with a Borough-sponsored youth program, and having contact with persons
under the age of 18 years.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Any programs that allow for participation in activities by
those persons under 18 years of age. Activities may include, but are
not limited to, sporting activities, passive recreation groups, clubs
or camps and trips or other activities whereby some control and responsibility
for persons under 18 years of age is assigned to some person acting
for or on behalf of the Borough of Haddon Heights other than a parent
or caregiver.
Individuals engaged in providing recreation opportunities for
or on behalf of the Borough of Haddon Heights shall be issued identification
cards with appropriate expirations based upon the date of their individual
background check. Individuals issued identification cards are required
to display their card while in the performance of their duty involving
youth programs.
Any and all criminal background checks obtained from the State
Bureau of Identification in the New Jersey State Police or the Federal
Bureau of Investigation shall be filed and maintained in a secured
and locked cabinet or room at the Haddon Heights Police Department
Records Bureau in the Criminal Investigation Section, which shall
take custody and maintain such records, which shall not be available
to the public. The Haddon Heights Borough Police Department personnel
in the Records Bureau shall take appropriate steps to safeguard such
records. The records shall be exempt from public disclosure under
the common law, the Open Public Records Act and the New Jersey Right
to Know Law. In addition, the Haddon Heights Borough Chief of Police
shall not reveal the affirmative or negative response from the State
Police based upon the findings of the background check, except as
provided in this chapter. No Haddon Heights Borough official or employee
shall have access to the criminal background checks other than individuals
in the Haddon Heights Borough Police Department Records Bureau, whose
only access shall be to take custody and maintain the files as provided
for in this section. The records shall only be retained for such period
of time as is necessary to serve their intended and authorized purpose.
The Haddon Heights Borough Chief of Police shall be the contact person
for Haddon Heights Borough for the VRO Program of the State Police.
Any person violating or failing to comply with the provisions
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine
of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed
90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion
of the Judge.
The Borough of Haddon Heights, through its designated agents,
including the Borough Police Department, shall diligently enforce
the provisions of this chapter.