News for
March 11, 2026

 

By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

Nephi will now require all those who work with youth in any capacity to pass a background check.

“Tonight, we will be considering adopting the Youth Service Protection Plan city-wide,” said Seth Atkinson, city administrator. “All those who work with youth will need to have the background checks and Abuse Training for Youth Workers.”

The purpose of the policy, he said, is to ensure Nephi City remains in full compliance with Utah State Code 80-8.

”Should there be a fee included in the policy?” Shari Cowan, council member asked.

That did not need to be included in the policy, said Atkinson. That would be more of an administrative decision. In addition, the fee was likely in the $20 range.

The policy establishes mandatory screening and training requirements for all individuals (Youth Workers) who provide regular care, supervision, guidance, or control of children in Nephi City programs. That includes recreation programs and even swimming pool workers, he said.

A youth worker is defined as any employee or volunteer aged 18 or older who has regular and repeated interaction with children (individuals under age 18) as part of a Nephi City program.

A registered sex offender check, which consists of a search of both the Utah Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), will be made.

The city will use an approved compliance provider, he said.

“Nephi City will use a reputable software platform for: conducting national and state sex offender registry checks; providing state-mandated sexual abuse identification and reporting training; and tracking and storing compliance records,” said Atkinson.

For the initial hire, all prospective employees aged 18 or older who will work with youth must successfully complete a background check and the mandated abuse training at the time of hire.

“As a condition of employment, no employee may begin their first shift or interact with youth until their background check has been cleared and their training certificate is recorded in the software system,” said Atkinson.

There are also requirements for volunteers. There is a mandatory clearance requiring all volunteers to complete the Registered Sex offender check and abuse training before they are allowed to interact with children in any program.

“Background checks and abuse training for volunteers must be renewed biannually (every two years),” he said.

Department heads or program managers are responsible for verifying a “cleared” status in the software before assigning any volunteer to a youth program.

In accordance with Utah State Code 80-8-203(1), Nephi City strictly prohibits the employment or use of any individual as a youth worker if they appear on: The Utah Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry and/or The National Sex Offender Public Website.

“All background check results and training certificates will be maintained securely within the city-selected software platform,” said Atkinson.

Jeramie Callaway, council member, made the motion to adopt the Youth Service Protection Plan, Travis Worwood, council member, made the second and all voted in favor.