In the City of Bayonne, NJ, fifteen coaches and youth organization representatives met with Assistant City Attorney Christopher Patella and Police Sgt. Kevin Gallagher last week to discuss the details of the City’s new background screening program. Now all volunteer and paid coaches who work for the City’s recreation teams and nonprofit groups will be fingerprinted and screened.
Previously mandated by vote of the City Council, it is estimated that 1,200 to 1,400 coaches will be covered in this new screening program. Gallagher said that the first round of checks will not require the applicants to pay any fees because the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation will be picking up the costs. Thereafter, the leagues, teams, or sponsor organizations will be asked to pay $48 for each volunteer coach and $71 for each paid employee hired. Those who pass the check will be granted ID cards good for three years.
Bayonne Little League President Glen Regan, whose coaches work with more than 600 children, said he supported the new policy and added, “I think our parents should be happy because their kids will be safe and well-protected.”
