MECHANICSBURG — The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has given preliminary approval to require background checks of all future sports official applicants and is working toward a plan of checking the organization's 13,000 officials.

The PIAA reported on its Web site that its board of directors unanimously passed both motions Friday.

On a first reading, the board accepted a recommendation requiring all applicants to become PIAA-registered sports officials submit a background check.

The board also directed its staff to research requiring background checks of all 13,700 registered sports officials and report back at the group's December meeting.

A Pittsburgh newspaper reported last month that dozens of people who officiated school sports events in the Pittsburgh area since 2005 have criminal records. The newspaper also said a self-reporting policy by the statewide association overseeing officials didn't seem to be working.

Associated Press