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Bill

S 4043

Requires youth and sports organizations to obtain criminal history record background checks of certain volunteers, employees and organizers.*

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach and 4 co-sponsors

NJ bill requires annual criminal background checks for all adults involved with youth-serving groups (including for-profit entities), with penalties for noncompliance.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4043

Summary of Bill S 4043 (NJ, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill expands and formalizes criminal history record background checks for individuals involved with youth-serving organizations in New Jersey.
  • It broadens the scope from nonprofit youth-serving organizations to include certain for-profit youth-serving entities and requires annual checks for all covered personnel.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definition: The bill defines “youth serving organization” as any sports team, league, athletic association, provider of private athletic lessons, or other private/non-profit groups that offer recreational, cultural, charitable, social, or similar activities for persons under 18. It excludes public and nonpublic schools.
  • Background checks required:
    • Affected persons: current and prospective employees, volunteers, and organizers of youth-serving organizations.
    • Each such person must undergo a criminal history record background check conducted by the State Bureau of Identification (Division of State Police) with written consent.
    • Checks must be conducted at least once per year for every employee, volunteer, or organizer.
    • If a person has already undergone a qualifying background check (e.g., via a national/international athletic association), no additional check is required in the same calendar year.
  • How checks are performed:
    • The Attorney General coordinates checks, querying FBI and State Police records.
    • The organization receives the results and determines eligibility.
  • Costs:
    • The organization or individual bears the cost of checks.
    • The department cannot charge more than the actual cost of the check, as determined by the Attorney General. Annual cost certification to the State Treasurer is required.
  • Consequences for noncompliance:
    • Civil penalties: Failing to request a background check could lead to penalties of up to $500 (first offense), $750 (second), and $1,000 (third or subsequent).
    • Criminal penalties: It would be a fourth-degree crime for an employee or volunteer to participate in a youth-serving organization knowing they are disqualified based on their background. It would also be a fourth-degree crime for an organizer, coach, or other person associated with the organization to disregard background results or fail to obtain a check knowing a disqualification exists.
  • Exclusions and compatibility:
    • Individuals who have already completed background checks that meet the standards of P.L.1986, c.116 (including checks used by national/international youth sports bodies) are exempt from an additional check in the same year.
    • The bill clarifies that an excluded sex offender cannot be employed or volunteered in a youth-serving organization (consistent with existing law).
  • Administration and oversight:
    • The Attorney General will regulate access to and dissemination of background check information.
    • An audit of background-check information for youth-serving organizations will be conducted no later than 37 months after enactment, with results reported to the Governor and Legislature within six months after the audit starts.

Who would be affected

  • Prospective and current employees, volunteers, and organizers of youth-serving organizations (including for-profit entities that provide youth-focused athletic or activity programs).
  • Organizations that run youth programs, leagues, or lessons for minors under 18.

Timelines and effective date

  • Effective date: The act takes effect on the first day of the second month after enactment.
  • Annual background checks begin after enactment and implementation of the required processes.
  • An audit of background-check information is required within roughly three years of enactment, with results due within six months after the audit begins.

Practical impact

  • Increased verification of adults working with minors in youth sports and related activities.
  • Potentially higher compliance workload and costs for organizations.
  • Stronger enforcement against participation by disqualified individuals, with enhanced penalties for noncompliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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