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AB-506

Effective January 1, 2022, California State Assembly Bill 506 Youth Service Organizations: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, states a volunteer who volunteers directly with youth are required to take child abuse and neglect mandatory reporter training every two years. In addition, volunteers will also be required to have a cleared background check on file which includes fingerprinting.

Link to FAQs
AB-506 Bill Link

Mandated Reporting

GSCCC’s mandated reporter training for our volunteers launched January 1, 2022. We encourage you to complete this as soon as possible so your volunteer experience is not interrupted. As an appreciated volunteer, we know you understand the importance of keeping girls safe.

The State of California recently adopted Assembly Bill AB 506, adding all youth service organizations to the list of organizations whose volunteers and staff must complete training in child abuse and neglect reporting, become mandated reporters, and undergo Live Scan background checks.

The mandated reporter training can be met in one of two ways: by completing the two-hour online training provided by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention in the State Department of Social Services, OR

if you have taken the training within the last two years, and it meets the state’s AB 506 requirements, you can upload proof of completion through your myGS account or email it to info@girlscoutsccc.org.

Please Note: If you have completed child abuse and neglect training for work or other volunteer services within the last two years that meet the state’s AB 506 requirements, you need to upload proof of completion that includes the date the course was completed to the gsLearn course module for review and marking.

The mandated reporter training will need to be renewed every two years and a new certificate uploaded to the account.

Our commitment is to provide as much support as possible to ensure our volunteers are not severely impacted by time/travel issues.  We will continue to update you on this process but want to make you all aware of the new requirements. 

Link for Mandated Reporter Training

Background Check/Live scan

As an appreciated volunteer, we know you understand the importance of keeping girls safe.

Volunteers that are volunteering a maximum of 16 hours or less a month will receive a link from Sterling to complete their background check.

AB 506 also requires all staff and volunteers who have more than 16 hours a month (or 32 hours per year) of contact with a youth to also complete a Live Scan background check (the digital version of inked fingerprinting).  To complete this process, you will need to take the GSCCC Live Scan Form  to a Live Scan site.  Please ensure that you take a valid government issued ID such as a driver’s license, state/government ID card, or passport.

It is critical that you use the GSCCC Live Scan form, as it includes our billing number as well as the routing information for the results of your background check. GSCCC will automatically be billed for the Department of Justice and FBI fees; however, each individual must pay a fingerprint rolling fee (generally $20-50) to the Live Scan service provider.  Please retain your receipt and email a copy to AB506@girlscoutsccc.org for reimbursement. To find the Live Scan site nearest to you, click on this link for a list.

Reporting

What must be reported? Any of the below acts involving anyone under the age of 18

  1. Physical Abuse
  2. Sexual Abuse
  3. Emotional Abuse
  4. Neglect

How to report

  • By Phone- Immediately, or as soon as possible, make a telephone report to child welfare services and/or to a Police or Sheriff Department, Report Child Abuse
  • In Writing- Within 36 hours, a written report must be sent, faxed or submitted electronically. The written report should be completed on a state form called the 8572, which can be downloaded here

Other Information

  • Safeguards for Mandated Reporters
  • The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) states that the name of the mandated reporter is strictly confidential, although it is provided to investigative parties working on the case.
  • Under state law, mandated reporters cannot be held liable in civil or criminal court when reporting as required; however, under federal law mandated reporters only have immunity for reports made in good faith

Volunteer Mandated Reporting Tip Sheet