As the 2017 season approaches, we would like to inform you of operational updates to the residency and school attendance eligibility requirements; and the child protection program background check regulations. We will be creating additional resources about these and other updates found in the 2017 Rulebooks and communicating about them in the coming weeks.
RESIDENCY AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ELIGIBILITY
Beginning with the 2017 season, the following changes will be implemented for establishing residency and school attendance eligibility:
. A school issued report card or performance record will no longer be accepted to establish school attendance.
. Also, residence shall be established and supported by documents containing the full residence which includes parent(s) or guardian(s) name, street address, city, state and zip code information, dated or in force between February 1, 2016 (previous year) and February 1, 2017 (current year), from one or more documents from EACH of the three Groups outlined below:
Group I
1. Driver's License
2. School records
3. Vehicle records (i.e., registration, lease, etc.)
4. Employment records
5. Insurance documents
Group II
1. Welfare/child care records
2. Federal records (i.e., Federal Tax, Social Security, etc.)
3. State records
4. Local (municipal) records
5. Support payment records
6. Homeowner or tenant records
7. Military records
Group III
1. Voter's Registration
2. Utility bills (i.e., gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, mobile phone, heating, waste disposal)
3. Financial records
4. Medical records
5. Internet, cable, or satellite records
IMPORTANT NOTE: Example - Three documents from the same Group (utility bill, cable bill, and bank statement) constitute only ONE document. Players who established "residence" or "school attendance" for regular season and/or tournament prior to the 2016-2017 season using the Player Verification Form, and can produce the form with proper proofs and signatures, will be grandfathered and will NOT need to complete a new Player Verification Form.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Also for the coming season, Little League's official regulations have been revised to state that all leagues in the United States are required to conduct background checks that utilize the First Advantage Screening Solutions program provided by Little League International, or another provider that is comparable to First Advantage in accessing background check records for sex offender registry data and criminal records. For those leagues that have satisfied this regulation in past seasons by utilizing First Advantage, there are not additional expectations, since the First Advantage background check currently meets that standard.
Each local league must also be aware of its state laws, which may require other separate and additional background check processes be completed before individuals would be permitted to assume local league volunteer responsibilities.
No local league shall permit any person to participate in any manner whose background check reveals a conviction, guilty plea, no contest plea, or admission to any crime involving or against a minor or minors. All local leagues must take into consideration criminal records when making the determination whether the individual is unfit to participate in any manner in the league.
In addition to the background checks, all individuals wishing to volunteer with a local league must submit a volunteer application annually, and all volunteer appointments are subject to the approval of the local league's Board of Directors.
Complete information about the new background check regulation, including resources for local league volunteers, will be available at LittleLeague.org/ChildProtection in the coming weeks.
Please continue to check LittleLeague.org/Rules for more important updates to the 2017 Little League Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Policies in the near future.
As you become familiar with these updates, and begin to communicate and educate the leagues throughout your district, we wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for your tireless support of the Little League program.
Thank You,
Little League International