South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association

$8.00 SLED Checks for Volunteers

Dear SCRPA Membership,

It has come to our attention that some of you have received communication from NRPA and others that SLED checks for volunteers are $25 for public park and recreation agencies. That is incorrect and has been for close to 10 years now. Senator Joel Lourie (Richland County) worked tirelessly with SCRPA assistance to place this language in the original bill that lowered the cost from $25 to $8 for recreation, non profits, churches and other 501 c (3) organizations. It has ALWAYS remained in the bill and has never been altered to not include us. As I hope you would know, your association would NOT let that happen to you and if by chance it would we (SCRPA) would communicate that to you directly.

We fought too long and too hard to give you this reduced cost. This is just one avenue for you in your over-all screening process for volunteers. If you should ever have any questions whatsoever about South Carolina Law and how it affects you and how you perform your duties as public park and recreation employees, please never hesitate to come to YOUR source, SCRPA. We are here for you first and foremost always looking out for the best interest of public park and recreation here in South Carolina, thus helping you create community through people parks and programs.

Below is the South Carolina law as it reads and always has read since the change 10 years ago.

SECTION 23-3-115. Fees for criminal record searches conducted for charitable organizations.

(B) The fee allowed in subsection (A) is fixed at eight dollars if the criminal record search is conducted for a charitable organization, a bona fide mentor, or for the use of a charitable organization. The division shall develop forms on which a mentor or charitable organization shall certify that the criminal record search is conducted for the use and benefit of the charitable organization or mentor. For purposes of this subsection, the phrase "charitable organization" means:

(1) an organization which has been determined to be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(2) a bona fide church, including an institution such as a synagogue or mosque;

(3) an organization which has filed a statement of registration or exemption under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, Chapter 56, Title 33; or (4) local recreation commission volunteers.