Diocese of San José Safe Environment Requirements

The Diocese of San José walks in lockstep with the immensely important work the Church in the United States vigorously carries out in support of our unified commitment to uphold the USCCB’s Dallas Charter. As we reaffirm this united goal of a Safe Environment within our own Diocese, we bind ourselves to the practical measures outlined within USCCB’s Dallas Charter as a foundation for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Charter is the cornerstone of the Churches framework for accountability through reconciliation and healing with individuals, and the families of those individuals, who have been harmed by Church personnel, both clergy and lay. The Charter also establishes safety standards for those serving in ministry with youth or vulnerable adults, such as required safe environment training and background checks. To this end, these safeguards are audited annually by the USCCB to ensure the highest level of ongoing accountability.

All clergy and diocesan personnel, as well as adult volunteers 18 years-old or older who serve in any capacity with children or vulnerable adults, must complete the following requirements:

  1. All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must submit the proper Live Scan background screening prior to engaging in ministry or employment with youth or vulnerable adults.
  2. All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must complete the appropriate Diocesan Safe Environment training course to learn how to recognize and report abuse or misconduct prior to engaging in ministry or employment with youth or vulnerable adults. Thereafter, Diocesan Safe Environment training must be renewed in accordance with State, Federal, and Diocesan Standards for Service with youth or vulnerable adults. Training is available via the VIRTUS online learning management system (www.virtusonline.org). The training is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
  3. All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must understand their reporting responsibilities as it pertains not only to Diocesan policy, but also with regard to one’s legal responsibilities as California Mandated Reporters or other state and federal requirements.

Beyond the Church’s call to action, there are state requirements that must be upheld as well. The Diocese of San Jose has long maintained robust systems to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, including our comprehensive safe environment programs and policies, mandatory abuse prevention training, background checks, and clear reporting protocols for suspected abuse that align with civil law, both state and federal, as well as the Charter. These practices reflect the Church’s moral commitment to the dignity and protection of every child and have been in place across diocesan schools and ministries since the implementation of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002.

California Senate Bill 848 (SB 848) builds upon and formalizes many of these same principles at the state level. Among other requirements, it mandates that school personnel and volunteers complete annual training on child abuse reporting and prevention, and it broadens the definition of “mandated reporters” to include employees, volunteers, contractors, and governing board members.

SB 848 Key Requirements for School Personnel:

SB 848 Expansion of California Mandated Reporter Definition: All school employees, clergy, volunteers, contractors, and governing board members are State of California Mandated Reporters under SB 848 and have a personal legal duty to report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect to civil authorities.

California Mandated Reporter & Diocesan Safe Environment Training Expectation for SB 848
New Training Course: CA Youth Protection Training
New Training Renewal Requirement: Annual

As of July 1, 2026, all school personnel – including volunteers, contractors, and governing board members – must complete the Mandated Reporter training requirement annually. In compliance with SB 848, the Diocese of San Jose has partnered with The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, VIRTUS, to develop a more robust/modern training resource that fully aligns and satisfies both California SB 848 requirements for California Mandated Reporters while incorporating our Catholic values in upholding the USCCB’s Safe Environment expectations.

Youth also play a vital role in safety and prevention. Students in our Catholic Schools and Catechetical Programs participate in a VIRTUS Catholic Safe Environment Curriculum lesson every year which is founded on the principles of appropriate relationship boundaries in the broader context of Christian values. All lessons are age-appropriate and empower children to begin to recognize inappropriate behaviors and tell a safe adult.  Parents are encouraged to continue the conversation at home and can find helpful resources and lesson plans on the dioceses’ website at https://www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children/virtus-resources-for-teachers-catechist/.

As always, please feel free to call our office at 408-983-0113 without hesitation to address any questions or concerns. If you would like to volunteer at a parish or school and are not yet compliant with diocesan requirements, please take a moment to contact your site’s volunteer coordinator to begin the process.

The Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults thanks you, our Catholic community, for your continued partnership in maintaining a safe environment for all. Please be assured of our continued prayers for you and your family as we ask for God’s Grace in our determination to protect our youth and most vulnerable.

The Diocese of San José strictly adheres to a zero-tolerance policy and promptly notifies law enforcement and child protective services when abuse is reported, in accordance with mandated reporter laws. If an adult victim/survivor is looking to report a case of Clergy Abuse or sexual abuse involving Church personnel, we encourage them to first contact their local civil authorities (law enforcement). Once a report is filed with the local civil authorities, individuals are encouraged to contact the diocesan Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults at (408) 983-0113. All reports are confidential to protect the rights of the victim. Reports to the Diocese are accepted by either online submission or by phone. For online submission, please use the following URL to access our secure third-party reporting server designated for this purpose: https://opcva.ethicspoint.com or contact our toll-free 24-hour reporting hotline at 844-372-1691.

July 2026