1. (a) The YRC owner or camp administrator shall verify that the camp director meets the qualifications specified in He-C 4003.15.

2. (b) Subject to (c) through (f), below, the camp administrator or camp director shall require all YRC staff, as defined in He-C 4003.03(al), to:

   1. (1) Authorize or submit the results of a criminal background check in each state where the YRC staff member has lived, which may be done through a national database if the database includes all such states;
   2. (2) Authorize or submit the results of a check of the National Sex Offender Registry;

   3. (3) For each YRC staff who currently resides, or has resided in NH during the previous 7 years, complete and submit a notarized Form 2501 “DCYF Central Registry Name Search Authorization Release of Information to Third Party" (June 2020) certifying that:

      “I acknowledge that the results of this search can only be released to myself or a Child-Placing Agency pursuant to NH RSA 170-E, the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to RSA 170-G:8-c, or another state’s Child Welfare Agency or Private Adoption Agency pursuant to NH RSA 169-C:35. I understand and authorize the results of this search to be provided to the person/agency listed below if in compliance with the aforementioned laws. Any entity listed below that is not governed under these laws will not be sent the results”; and

   4. (4) Provide references and a listing of all previous employment and volunteer positions.
3. (c) Any counselor, CIT, or JC who is younger than 18 years old who will be left alone with youth, in lieu of the background check requirements specified in (b)(1) above, shall provide at least 2 references to the YRC.

4. (d) One reference shall be from a non-relative, and attest to:

   1. (1) Their knowledge of the minor’s character;
   2. (2) Whether the minor has caused or threatened to cause direct physical injury to any other individual, or harm of any nature, to any youth; and
   3. (3) Their opinion on whether the minor is a good candidate to work directly with campers.
5. (e) The background check required to obtain a VISA for a counselor, CIT, or JC who enters the United States under the auspices of any international counselor exchange program shall meet the requirements of (b) above.
6. (f) The YRC shall accept the background check required for licensure for any licensed practitioner who holds a current license as proof of compliance with (b)(1) above. If the background check required for an applicant who is a licensed practitioner does not include a check of the national sex offender public registry, then the owner or designee, camp administrator, or camp director shall check the licensed practitioner’s name against the national sex offender public registry prior to employing the applicant.
7. (g) For any YRC that is a certified provider under RSA 170-G:4, XVIII, the background check required for such certification may be used to satisfy the requirement of (b)(1) above.

8. (h) The camp administrator or camp director shall:

   1. (1) Review the results of the background checks and certifications;
   2. (2) Review the submitted references and previous employment and volunteer information and check enough to become satisfied as to the individual’s suitability to work at the YRC; and
   3. (3) Conduct a personal interview with each individual hired or otherwise engaged as YRC staff.

9. (i) A YRC shall not employ, or otherwise engage YRC staff, who:

   1. (1) Has a criminal conviction for any offense involving:

      1. a. Causing or threatening direct physical injury to any individual;
      2. b. Causing or threatening harm of any nature to any youth; or
      3. c. Unlawfully taking property of another, whether through force, threat of force, or deception; or
   2. (2) Is listed on the central registry of founded reports of abuse and neglect; or
   3. (3) Is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.
10. (j) An applicant may begin employment pending the receipt of notice regarding the check of the NH central registry for child abuse and neglect, provided the applicant has passed all other required background checks specified in He-C 4003.
11. (k) The applicant referenced in (j) above shall never be alone with campers pending the YRC’s receipt and review of the results of the NH central registry check required in accordance with (h) and (i) above.

Source. #12981, INTERIM, eff 1-24-20, EXPIRED: 7-22-20 New. #13073, eff 7-23-20; ss by #14256, eff 5-23-25, EXPIRES: 5-23-35 (formerly He-C 4003.14)