The Township of Chatham (hereinafter "Township")
and the Borough of Chatham (hereinafter "Borough") have established
a joint recreation program. The Township and the Borough have determined
that it is in the best interest of the residents of the Township and
the Borough and the participants in the joint recreation program that
all volunteers and employees who wish to participate in the program
undergo criminal background checks prior to said participation. It
is the intention of the Township and the Borough to adopt similar
ordinances to accomplish this goal.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CHATHAM REVIEW COMMITTEE
A four-member committee consisting of the Township Administrator
or designee, the Borough Administrator or designee, and Chiefs of
Police or designees of the Township and the Borough, respectively.
The Committee shall be charged with the review of all appeals of any
Township or Borough employee or volunteer whose criminal history background
check reveals a disqualifying criminal conviction.
COACH
Any person, whether paid or volunteer, involved with coaching
or supervising participants in a nonprofit youth-serving organization,
whether the title is coach, manager or another title consistent with
these terms.
COSPONSORED PROGRAM
Any program, including but not limited to nonprofit youth-serving
organizations as defined below, which receives benefits, either directly
or indirectly, including but not limited to the provision of funding
and/or the provision of fields, facilities and/or equipment (and including
the maintenance of same), from the Township and/or the Borough.
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD BACKGROUND CHECK
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 the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police.
EMPLOYEES
All full-time, part-time and seasonal employees of the Chatham
Township Recreation Department or the Borough of Chatham Recreation
Department.
NONPROFIT YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS
A corporation, association or other organization established
pursuant to Title 15 of the Revised Statutes, Title 15A of the New
Jersey Statutes or other law of the state, but excluding public and
nonpublic schools, and 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.
SPONSORED PROGRAM
Recreation programs run directly and jointly by the Township
and the Borough, including oversight, control and/or fiscal contribution.
STATE BUREAU OF IDENTIFICATION
The entity located within the New Jersey State Police responsible
for retrieving criminal background information on individuals as requested
by state, local or private entities.
VOLUNTEER REVIEW OPERATION ("VRO")
The unit located within the State Bureau of Identification
that is responsible for administering criminal background checks for
volunteer coaches as specified in this article.