HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Volunteers who work with children in Pennsylvania will no longer have to pay for state background checks required of them, the Wolf administration announced Wednesday.

The new policy also reduces from $10 to $8 the cost of child abuse clearances and criminal histories for non-volunteers, such as child care workers, foster parents and school employees.

The policy does not, however, affect the cost of FBI background checks mandated for people who work with children if they haven't lived in the state continuously for 10 years.

The requirement for volunteers goes into effect July 1.

The free and reduced cost of the state checks, performed by the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania State Police, go into effect July 25 under a 2014 law. The measure was among about two dozen new laws enacted after a task force recommended changes in response to the child abuse scandal involving former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, as well as child abuse cases involving clergy.

The reduced fee will also apply to adults who live in the same household as foster children, prospective adoptive parents and their adult household members, and juveniles 14 or older who want jobs involving child care.

Fewer people would have to undergo background checks under a bill pending in the state House. The bill could see floor action this week.

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Online:

Child Protective Services Law info:

www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov