In Cherry Hill, New Jersey, after the president of the Stealers youth baseball league, Daniel J. Rice, was charged with violating Megan’s Law in July of last year, Mayor Bernie Platt is pushing for more stringent policies for coaches. Rice, who had been imprisoned in the 1990’s for fondling six boys while coaching, failed to register as a sex offender when he moved to the township. He pleaded guilty to the Megan’s Law violation.

Legislation is currently being developed in Cherry Hill that would require background checks for all volunteer coaches in the independent youth leagues for sports such as soccer and baseball. Furthermore, Platt also wants to require leagues to submit lists of their adult volunteers to the township police department before the season starts this year.