Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records check for person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association.

This bill (A4405) requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to conduct criminal history background checks on all individuals serving as officials (e.g., referees, umpires) at sanctioned high school athletic events. Officials must submit their fingerprints and written consent to the NJSIAA, which forwards the request to the Commissioner of Education for a check against state and federal criminal databases. Individuals with convictions for specific disqualifying crimes (listed in C.18A:6-7.1) will be barred from serving, and the NJSIAA must disqualify officials if new charges or convictions arise after initial approval. The law applies immediately to all current officials, who must comply within 60 days of the bill’s effective date.