Bill Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Working in Youth Serving Organizations Near Passage

On June 18, 2009, the Senate unanimously passed a bill (S532/A1731) prohibiting persons involved in sex offenses with minors from holding positions in youth serving organizations, following the lead of the Assembly, which unanimously passed the bill in May. The bill defines “youth serving organization” as “a sports team, league, athletic association or any other corporation, association or organization, excluding public and nonpublic schools, which provides recreational, educational, cultural, social, charitable or other activities or services to persons under 18 years of age.” The bill also makes it a crime for any person to knowingly hire, engage, or appoint an excluded sex offender to serve in a youth serving organization. The penalty for the crime is imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000 (or both).  The Act will take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature, which is expected to come quickly.  

Note: This article was published in the July 2009 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority.