New Law Co-Sponsored by Rep. Olsen Strengthens Protections for Youth Against Sex Offenders

A new layer of youth protection is now in place due to legislation recently signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner. State Representative David S. Olsen (R- Downers Grove), the leading Republican on the bill, called the new law “an important step toward ensuring children’s safety.”

HB 786 is bipartisan legislation strengthening prohibitions on child sex offenders from volunteering for park district programs. The new law requires all park districts to have volunteers complete an application prior to beginning work as a volunteer, and also requires that the application include a question concerning whether the applicant has been found to be a child sex offender.

“While most park districts already take steps to ensure their volunteers meet these guidelines, this new law requires it,” said Olsen. “We need to be vigilant and close any loophole that would allow these predators to have access to children.”

HB 786, now known as Public Act 100-0472, received unanimous support throughout the legislative process, and its provisions take effect immediately.