Criminal Background Check Policy

Effective October 1, 2003 , church personnel (clergy, religious and lay) who have regular contact with minors must have a criminal history background check. The background check shall commence prior to employment or service with the diocese, parish or school¹ as outlined below and may be repeated at the discretion of the Diocese. Individuals currently employed by the diocese, parish or school must also comply with this requirement. Failure to do so will result in the loss of employment or volunteer position.

A. Regardless of position, all diocesan, parish and school paid staff (including those paid by stipend) shall have a fingerprint criminal background check through the Michigan State Police.
B. Church and school volunteers who are expected to have regular contact with minors eight (8) or more hours each month shall have a fingerprint criminal background check through the Michigan State Police.
C. Church and school volunteers who are expected to have regular contact with minors less than eight (8) hours per month shall have a criminal background check utilizing the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) through the Michigan State Police.²
D. Minors who wish to volunteer to assist with children’s programs shall be requested to complete a statement of their background.

When applying for a position of employment or requesting to volunteer, an authorization form for the background check is to be completed. If the individual is to be hired or accepted for service after normal interview and reference checks, arrangements should be made to conduct the background check by the hiring entity or parish business manager. Copies of necessary forms are available through the Diocesan Secretariat for Administrative Services and in the Diocese of Gaylord Standard Operating Procedures Handbook.

Copies of results of each background screening are to be forwarded to the Diocesan Secretariat for Administrative Services and the original is to be retained with the personnel records of the requesting entity.

Cost for performing the appropriate background check is to be covered by the requesting entity.

If a background check reveals an arrest or criminal conviction, the Director of the Diocesan Secretariat for Administrative Services is to be informed and final determination regarding employment will be made in consultation with the representative of the requesting agency and legal counsel.

¹All Catholic school personnel who were not previously required to undergo a criminal background check are now required to do so under diocesan policy. In addition, principals of Catholic schools are responsible to assure compliance with all Michigan laws regarding school personnel.

²An outside firm will be utilized to provide criminal history background checks outside of the state of Michigan .