AYSO Criminal Background Check Policy

2005

Since January 1, 2001, all American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) regions, areas and sections were required to comply with the AYSO policy on criminal background checks. AYSO acts as the criminal background requesting entity unless specific arrangements have been approved in writing by the AYSO National Executive Director.

The following AYSO positions shall be subjected to a criminal background check:

All coaches of sports teams

All assistant coaches of sports teams

All officers, board members and staff who lead or organize children’s activities

All referees

Any person volunteering in AYSO must complete and sign an AYSO volunteer application form each year either online or by using the hard copy form. The application form includes a Criminal Background Check Release.

Criminal background checks are performed on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The responses on the AYSO volunteer Application Form may target certain individuals for automatic background checks.

Each Region shall designate at least one person as the Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) who will act as the liaison between the Region and AYSO for purpose of enacting this policy.

The results of the criminal background checks will be kept strictly confidential. The AYSO Safe Haven staff members at the National Support & Training Center in Hawthorne, CA are the only people authorized to review or have access to the reports. The Notice of Duty to Review Criminal Record process will be initiated by AYSO. These reports shall be kept in a locked, secure location, for a period as indicated by applicable law or until the person is no longer a volunteer, whichever is later.

When a negative determination is made, a copy of the criminal conviction report received by AYSO is sent to that volunteer applicant, in an envelope marked “confidential – to be opened by addressee only,” along with the Notice of Duty to Review Criminal Record cover letter.

The CVPA or Regional Commissioner (RC) will be immediately notified of any issues related to the criminal background check of members of their region.

If a background check discloses a criminal conviction, AYSO Safe Haven Staff shall consult the Table of Convictions attached to this policy and advise the region. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis using the following guidelines:

Persons convicted of a violent crime or crime against a person (including sex offenses) within the prior 20 years should be disqualified from any position listed in policy paragraph #1 above.

Persons convicted of a theft related crime or fraud within the prior 15 years should be disqualified from any position involving the handling of funds or property.

Persons convicted of a substance abuse crime within the past 10 years should be disqualified from any coaching position or any position that leads children’s activities.

Discretion shall be exercised in a uniform manner, so that similar convictions and circumstances result in similar treatment.

Felony convictions of any nature are serious offenses and will be viewed with extreme caution. Misdemeanor convictions, particularly where remote in time, may be viewed with more leeway where the applicant’s conduct since the conviction indicates rehabilitation or lack of risk to the children and the program.

Table of Convictions

This is a partial list only.

Violent Crimes & Crimes Against a person:

Aggravated Assault	Intimidation
Aggravated Batter w/Firearm	Involuntary Manslaughter
Armed Robbery	Kidnapping
Arson	Murder
Assault	Possession of explosives
Attempted Murder	Terrorism
Battery	Reckless Homicide
Blackmail	Robbery
Child Abandonment	Second Degree Murder
Child Abduction	Stalking
Child Pornography	Solicitation for Murder
Domestic Battery	Tampering w/Food or Drugs
Endangering the Life or Health of a Child	Threatening Public Officials
Exploitation of a Child	Treason
Extortion	Unlawful Restraint
Harboring a Runaway	Vehicular Car Jacking
Hate Crime	Vehicular Endangerment
Home Invasion	Violation of Order of Protection

Sex Offenses:

Bigamy	Obscenity
Child Pornography	Pandering
Criminal Sexual Abuse	Pimping
Criminal Sexual Assault	Prostitution
Criminal Transmission of HIV	Public Indecency
Distribution/Sale of Pornography to a Minor	Sex with a Minor
Indecent Solicitation of a Child	Sexual Exploitation of a Child
Keeping a Place of Prostitution	Solicitation of a Sexual Act

Theft-related Crimes:

Bid Rigging	Interference with Public Contracts
Bid Rotating & Kickbacks	Looting
Bribery	Money Laundering
Burglary	Possession of Burglary Tools
Check Kiting	Tax Evasion
Fencing of Stolen goods	Theft of Intellectual Property
Forgery	Ticket Scalping
Industrial Espionage

Fraud:

Deceptive Sales	Mail and Wire Fraud
Fraudulent Advertisement	Odometer Fraud
Insurance Fraud	Public Aid Fraud

Substance Abuse Crimes:

Abuse of Prescription Medicines	Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Criminal Drug Conspiracy	Possession of Illegal Substances
Distribution of Alcohol to Minors	Sale of Alcohol to Minors
Illegal Transportation of Controlled Substances	Sale of Manufacture of Illegal Substances

Miscellaneous Crimes:

Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm	Interference with Judicial Proceeding
Computer Tampering	Interference with Penal Institution
Concealing or Aiding a Fugitive	Legislative Misconduct
Criminal Damage to Property	Obscene Phone Calls
Criminal Fortification of Building	Obstructing a Peace Officer
Criminal Trespass	Official Misconduct
Discrimination in Sale of Real Estate	Official Misconduct
Disorderly Conduct	Perjury
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol	Reckless Conduct
Driving without a License	Reckless Driving
Driving without Insurance	Repeated Traffic Offenses
Eavesdropping	Sale of Tobacco to Minors
Environmental Crimes	Tampering with Public Records
Gunrunning	Unlawful Possession of Weapons
Harassment of Jurors or Witnesses	Unlawful Sale of Firearms
Identity Switching	Unlawful Use of Body Armor
Illegal Gambling	Unlawful Use, Sale of Discharge of a Metal Piercing Bullet
Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer	Vandalism