Safe Church and Child Abuse Clearances Resources
In 2014, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed House Bill No. 435 to make changes in PA law pertaining to child abuse. These changes require employers to conduct background checks for any “reporters” (which includes paid professionals as well as unpaid volunteers who “are persons aged 18 or older with direct contact with children: the care, supervision, guidance or control of children, or routine interaction with children”). It is important that church policies, training, and procedures meet the requirements of PA House Bill 435.
Pennsylvania clearances and FBI fingerprinting are required by the state of Pennsylvania for all employees and volunteers who have regular contact with children. (Employees would be the pastor, preschool teachers, paid Sunday School teachers, etc. Volunteers would include Sunday School teachers, youth group supervisors, confirmation mentors, etc.) All churches are required to keep records of these PA clearances and FBI fingerprinting. They are required every five years and are a legal obligation in PA.
As of December 2025, the costs for the clearances are:
- Child Abuse History Certifications: $13 for employees, free for volunteers
- PA State Police Criminal History Record Check: $22 for employees, free for volunteers
- FBI Criminal History Background Check: $24.95 for employees, $22.95 for volunteers (not required of all volunteers; see keepkidssafe.pa.gov for more info)
Information on Child Abuse Clearance and Mandated Reporters at: http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/
PA Child Abuse Prevention Laws Update from the UCC General Council
