Youth Protection & Background Checks
Hearts for Vietnam, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through leadership and service, upholds the highest standards of conduct and responsibility. Each year, over 100 youth participate in Vietnamese American High School Alliance (VAHSA) events, including monthly meetings, socials, workshops, and community service initiatives. Through these programs, Hearts for Vietnam connects with hundreds of young people across Southern California, fostering growth, leadership, and cultural pride.
When mentoring and working with youth, we prioritize their safety and well-being, recognizing the trust placed in us. To ensure a secure environment, Hearts for Vietnam equips VAHSA with essential tools and resources, including trained and background-checked advisors at every event. This commitment not only safeguards the youth we serve but also protects the integrity of our organization and its mission.
Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) was approved by Governor Gavin Newsom in Sept. 2021 and took effect on January 1, 2022. AB 506 became law as Section 18975 within Chapter 2.9 Youth Service Organizations, which falls under Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code.
Under the existing CA law, any business providing services to minors is required to provide written notice regarding the businesses’ policies relating to obtaining background checks for its employees to the parent or guardian of the minors receiving those services. AB 506 adds further protections for minors by requiring Youth Service Organizations to do all the following:
1. Requires administrators, employees, and regular volunteers to complete child abuse and neglect reporting training (aka Mandated Reporting Training).
2. Requires administrators, employees, and full-time volunteers to undergo a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code to identify and exclude any persons with a history of child abuse.
3. Requires the development and implementation of child abuse prevention policies and procedures.
4. Authorizes insurers to request information demonstrating compliance before writing liability insurance for youth service organizations.
Who is Affected by AB506?
AB 506, introduced following the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history, aims to prevent child and sexual abuse in youth service organizations and businesses serving minors. The law applies to organizations primarily providing extracurricular services to youth under 18 and involving adults with supervisory roles over children. Its goal is to ensure safer environments for minors and prevent future abuse crises.
Who is considered as regular volunteer?
AB 506 extends its requirements to "regular volunteers" in youth service organizations, alongside administrators and employees. Regular volunteers are defined as those contributing 16 or more hours per month or 32 or more hours per year, ensuring all key contributors uphold safety standards.
Requirement 1: Mandated Reporter Training
Under AB506, administrators, employees, and regular volunteers of youth service organizations are required to complete child abuse and neglect reporting training, also known as mandated reporter training. Mandated reporter training helps volunteers understand their requirements and responsibilities as mandated reporters in California, including the legal definitions of child abuse and neglect, how to spot evidence of child abuse, and how to report suspected instances of child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse.
AB 506 notes that organizations may utilize the mandated reporter training provided by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention in the State Department of Social Services. A volunteer-specific training exists at mandatedreproterca.com. Below is a link to the required training:
Take Volunteer Training from CDSS: Click Here
Requirement 2: Background Checked
In order to identify and exclude any person with a history of child abuse from working or volunteering at a youth service organization, AB 506 includes a requirement for a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code for administrators, employees, or regular volunteers. The penal code states:
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The employer makes a request for all convictions or arrests pending adjudication from the California Department of Justice; and
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The request must include the applicant’s fingerprints and shall be made through the use of a form approved by the California Department of Justice.
Requirement 3: Child Abuse Prevention Policy
Youth service organizations must establish and implement child abuse prevention policies, including:
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Requiring the reporting of suspected child abuse to external entities, as mandated by law.
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Ensuring, whenever possible, that at least two mandated reporters are present when adults are supervising children.
To comply, organizations may adopt established policies, such as US Club Soccer's Prevention Policies, which effectively limit 1-on-1 interactions between adults and minors and address key compliance areas.