SOMERS POINT – City Council introduced an ordinance Thursday that would require all youth sports employees and volunteers to undergo a criminal background check.

Council tabled a similar proposal in December to allow time to craft a clause that would allow those who are disqualified by a background check to appeal.

As introduced, the ordinance would require current and prospective employees or volunteers to undergo a criminal background check prior to being allowed to participate in a nonprofit organization, program or activity that involves primarily minors and is financially supported or endorsed by the Recreation Commission.

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

The applicant would be required to pay the fee, previously estimated to be $26.25 if done by, Sagem Morpho. Half the fee would be refunded to those who are cleared through a background check.

A photo identification card would be issued by the recreation board to all volunteers and employees who successfully pass the background check.

“The main modification is an appeal provision that was added to this that was not part of the previous version,” said City Council President Sean T. McGuigan.

When the issue was first brought up by council Dec. 8, the ordinance was set aside after discussion about who would undergo the background check and whether or not a moment of youthful indiscretion would prevent someone people from volunteering as an adult.

The ordinance would establish a youth protection appeal panel comprised of the chief of police, the mayor and community education and recreation director, which would hear appeals and have the power to overturn a disqualification.

Appeals must be submitted within 20 days of the notice of disqualification, and must be decided within 30 days of receiving the request. Appeals must be done on the basis that the person has been rehabilitated.

Megan’s Law registrants have no right to appeal. Crimes not subject to appeal include first- and second-degree offenses, violent crimes, endangering child welfare, a crime committed against a public officer or entity, a crime committed against someone 16 years old or younger, and crimes related to a public office.

The appeal panel’s decision is final and must be unanimous. The employee or volunteer can appear at the hearing and bring an attorney or witness.

Anyone who passes the background check and is arrested and charged with sexual misconduct or any of the offenses specified in the law must inform the chief of police and director of Community Education and Recreation promptly after the arrest and within 30 days of a conviction.

The ordinance states that any record used by the committee shall be destroyed after it has served its purpose.

Crimes and disorderly persons offenses that would prevent a person from passing a background check homicide, assault, endangering, threats, kidnapping, sexual offenses, robbery, theft, crimes against family, children or incompetents, and controlled dangerous substance offenses excluding possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana.

The public hearing and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at City Hall.