What is AB506?

California is taking safety one step further. Effective January 1, 2022, AB506 requires administrators, employees, and regular volunteers of youth service organizations (including churches) to:

1.     Complete training in child abuse and neglect identification and reporting.

2.     Get fingerprinted and clear a background check in order to work with minors

If you’re still confused about what that means, you’re in good company. But we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and super simple answers to help you stay in compliance:

Does this apply to me?

Yes! California’s mandate for “youth-serving organizations” includes churches, schools, daycares, nonprofits, etc. If you have kids or vulnerable adults present on your property or during your organization’s programming or events you must comply.

When do I have to do something?

Now. AB506 was passed in September 2021 and effective January 2022.

Can’t we just do the Livescan checks we heard about and call it a day?

Nope. Not even close. Some of the things you are now required to do:

• Apply to the California Department of Justice

• Receive authorization to be a custodian of records

• Request an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) code to identify your organization for submitting Lifescan requests

• Implement compliant child protection policies and procedures

• Provide compliant training to ALL employees, administrators (including board members), and regular volunteers in neglect identification and mandated reporting

Can’t someone just simplify this and spell it out for me?

Yep. That’s what we do. We simplify HR. We hear you. We feel your pain. So we have compiled an AB506 resource library with everything you need to get you started! (And be sure to check out our resource page for mandated reporting, too!)