Dartmouth Minors Protection Policy

Policy Statement

The Dartmouth College Minors Protection Policy includes three elements:

1. Obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, in accordance with State of New Hampshire (NH) law;
2. Requirement of all Dartmouth-sponsored Youth Skills Programs/Camps to adhere to State of NH laws and regulations regarding the need for criminal background checks;
3. Requirement of all third-party Youth Skills Programs/Camps to document their adherence to  State of NH laws and regulations regarding the need for criminal background checks.

Definitions:

• Authorized Adult: Any adult faculty member, college student, staff member, or volunteer who is working directly with minors and who has undergone a criminal background check within the current calendar year and with results acceptable under New Hampshire law and Dartmouth College standards.
  • Any Program/Camp staff member or volunteer who may be left alone with a child or children, is subject to a criminal background check within the calendar year. If a staff or volunteer has not undergone a criminal background check with results acceptable to Dartmouth within the calendar year, an "Authorized Adult" must also be present.
• Child Abuse or Neglect: For purposes of this policy, the definitions of child abuse or neglect shall be those contained in NH RSA 169-C3. 
• Criminal Background Check: A review of criminal records from every state of residence within the last seven years and a search of the National Sex and Violent Offender Registries.
• Minor: A person under the age of 18 years old. 
• Youth Skills Program/Camp: Consistent with NH state law, a Dartmouth-sponsored Youth Skills Program/Camp is defined as a program (whether in-person or online/virtually) that runs for three or more consecutive days for the purpose of teaching skills such as sports, the arts, and scientific inquiry to minors.  Youth Skills Programs/Camps include unpaid internships and mentoring arrangements.  
  • Exclusion: Students, including high school students, who are minors and who have been accepted for enrollment or who are enrolled for academic credit in Dartmouth classes and not participating in a Youth Skills Program/Camp. 

1. Obligation to Report Possible Abuse or Neglect of a Minor:

• Every person in New Hampshire has an obligation to report suspected child abuse. 
• Under NH State RSA 169-C:29-31 anyone, including all Dartmouth employees, students and volunteers, who has reason to suspect a child under the age of 18 has been abused, including sexual abuse¹, or neglect, must report that suspicion to the NH Child Protection Services² at 800-894-5533 (when calling from in state) or 603-271-6562 (when calling from out of state). For immediate emergencies call 911.
• Procedure for Reporting (applies to Dartmouth employees, students, volunteers and third parties who work with youth programs at Dartmouth):
  • Step 1: Notify NH Child Protection Services, 800-894-5533 (when calling from in state) or 603-271-6565 (when calling from out of state).
  • Step 2: Notify your Program Manager that a report has been made.
  • Step 3: You or your Program Manager should notify Dartmouth Safety & Security (DOSS) (603-646-4000) that a report has been made, after which DOSS will follow its communication protocol.
• Individuals making reports in good faith are protected from legal liability.

2. Adherence to NH Regulations for Dartmouth-Sponsored Youth Skills Programs/Camps

• Dartmouth faculty/staff who sponsor Youth Skills Programs/Camps for minors acknowledge that in accordance with NH state law (see Part II of N.H. Rev. Stat. § 170-E:56(II))  , only Authorized Adults may be left alone with attendee(s) who are under the age of 18. 
• Dartmouth faculty/staff who sponsor Youth Skills Programs/Camps for minors agree to comply with the requirements of NH state law (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 170-E:56(II)) for obtaining criminal background checks for those required under the statute.

Procedure and Process

• The process for obtaining a criminal background check can be found here. It requires that each faculty sponsor/program director fill out a Request for Criminal Background Check Form for each adult who might be alone with Program/Camp minors. Once this form is submitted to Human Resources, it takes approximately 10-14 business days to complete the criminal background check.
• Each faculty sponsor/Program director is responsible for submitting a NH Certification of Background Checks Form to the State of NH, along with a $25 check, in advance of the Program/Camp. A copy of this completed form must be shared with the Office of the General Counsel, Attn: Amy T. Baker.

3. Adherence to NH Regulations for Youth Skills Programs/Camps – Non- Dartmouth Programs

• All third-parties that offer Youth Skills Programs/Camps on Dartmouth College premises are required to adhere to the NH legislation regarding the criminal background checks for Youth Skills Camps.  Such programs include: sports camps, debate camps or any other youth programs that are run as independent businesses or endeavors.  

Procedure and Process

• Prior to obtaining access to Dartmouth facilities through the Office of Conferences and Events or through the Athletics Department, all third-party programs must prove that they have complied with the  legislation by producing a copy of their NH Certification of Background Checks Form or documentation of their program on the State of NH website, which lists the Youth Skills Camps in operation.  

¹ "Child sexual abuse" as defined by the New Hampshire Statute NH RSA 169-C:3. 
² Depending on the direction provided by New Hampshire authorities, you may be advised to inform child Protective Services in other states.