SOMERS POINT – City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Thursday, Feb. 9 requiring background checks for all employees and volunteers involved with youth organizations.

The ordinance requires anyone involved in a youth organization sponsored by or endorsed by the city to undergo a criminal background check prior to being allowed to participate. The program applies to organizations that involve primarily minors – those under 18 years old.

The background checks would be valid for five years, after which each employee or volunteer would have to submit a new application.

Those cleared through a background check to participate would be reimbursed half of the application cost, which was estimated to be about $26.

Those who pass will be issued photo identification cards from the recreation board.

The law also establishes a youth protection appeal panel comprised of the chief of police, the mayor and the director of community education and recreation, who will hear and may overturn disqualifications.