AB506 Resources and Information

The following applies to organizations serving youth and individuals that are considered a “Regular Volunteer.” A “Regular Volunteer” is a volunteer with the youth service organization who is 18 years of age or older and who has direct contact with, or supervision of, children for more than 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year. 

Requirements for Congregations in the State of California

On January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill No. 506 went into effect requiring all youth service organizations/churches to implement a background check policy and procedure with particular rules of compliance.

  1. All organizations/churches must submit an application to the Department of Justice to receive an organization number (ORI) to track Live Scan results.

  2. All volunteers and staff that serve minors must receive a Live Scan background check each year of service that is linked to the organization’s/church’s specific ORI number.

  3. All organizations must designate a “Custodian of Records,” who is required to receive training from the DOJ on confidentiality and is responsible for maintaining Live Scan results/personal information of all volunteers/staff working with minors.

  4. All volunteers and staff are required to attend Mandated Reporter training every two years. A free training is offered by the State of California (see link below).

  5. All organizations/churches must maintain up-to-date records of Mandated Reporter training for each staff/volunteer serving minors.

  6. All organizations/churches must write an official sexual harassment/child abuse prevention policy approved by officers/leadership.

Resources