Tracey Campanini, a DHS deputy secretary, says the regulations eliminate a temporary 90-day waiver for new child care employees or volunteers to obtain the background checks.
"It's applicable to any setting where children are coming in for services or supports or activities that the staff or the volunteers are required to comply with Pennsylvania CPS laws," Campanini said.
That's child protective services laws, which require Pennsylvania child abuse history clearances and FBI criminal history background checks.
"This would be more applicable to new employees that are coming to an employer for the first time and seeking to fill a job vacancy. This requirement would be for them to meet those background requirements prior to their actually getting in and working with children," she added.
Campanini says those who need the clearances include employees of any organization who have contact with children, foster or adoptive parents, public and private school employees, and volunteers.