Effective January 1, 2022, all churches in California that have any form of “youth service organization” within their ministries, which most likely includes Sunday School in addition to more recognizable ministries such as AWANA, Vacation Bible School, and youth sports league participation, must now adhere to a new three-prong “Standard of Care” which includes training their employees who are either mandatory reporters (pastors, church administrators) or employees and volunteers who have direct contact with or supervisory control over children under age 18 (youth and/or children’s ministers, nursery workers, Sunday School teachers, children’s choir directors, children’s church workers, youth sports team personnel . . . the list is virtually endless) in the topics of child sexual abuse and general child abuse and neglect.
These new requirements are imposed on all “youth service organizations” in California as a result of the passage and signing into law of AB 506. CSBC’s child sexual abuse prevention partner, the MinistrySafe organization, has prepared an extensive “White Paper” detailing AB 506 responsibilities and implementation.
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