If your organization works with youth in California, Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) is an important law you need to know about. Signed into law in 2021, AB 506 sets new requirements to help protect children from abuse by ensuring that staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations go through proper fingerprint background checks and training.
Who Does AB 506 Apply To?
AB 506 applies to youth service organizations, which include:
- Nonprofits and community organizations
- Churches and faith-based groups
- Sports leagues and teams
- Camps and mentoring programs
- Any group that provides services or programs to youth under 18
If your organization fits that description and uses volunteers or staff who have direct contact with children, you’re required to follow AB 506 guidelines.
What Are the Main Requirements?
Under AB 506, organizations must:
- Background Check – All administrators, employees, and regular volunteers who work directly with children must undergo a California DOJ Live Scan fingerprint background check. A name based only background check doesn’t satisfy the required mandate.
- Mandated Reporter Training – These individuals must also complete Mandated Reporter Training, available online through the California Department of Social Services.
- Policies and Abuse Prevention – Organizations are required to implement written policies that include child abuse prevention procedures, such as having two adults present when interacting with minors.
What Counts as a “Regular Volunteer”?
A “regular volunteer” is someone who has more than 16 hours a month of contact with children, or 32 hours per year, including overnight events. If your volunteers meet that threshold, they must be fingerprinted and trained under AB 506.
How Capital Live Scan Can Help
At Capital Live Scan, we help organizations across California stay compliant with AB 506 by providing:
- Support with CA DOJ form processing and submission of authorization packet to obtain an ORI to begin submitting Live Scan fingerprints.
- Live Scan fingerprinting at walk-in locations or mobile events.
- Group scheduling for large volunteer leagues, teams, organizations and job fairs.
- Secure and fast service, so your volunteers can get cleared quickly.
Need help getting authorized by the CA DOJ or getting your volunteers fingerprinted for AB 506? Contact us today to schedule a call to discuss the CA DOJ authorization process, to host a mobile event or find a location near you.