Washington — Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) today introduced legislation to make FBI background checks available to youth-serving organizations (YSOs), such as camps and mentorship programs, to more effectively screen out convicted child predators and other job applicants with criminal backgrounds.

The Child Protection Improvements Act gives youth organizations permanent access to FBI fingerprint searches by establishing an applicant processing center where YSOs can screen potential employees. Through the center, youth organizations can draw upon the expertise of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to review criminal records and determine whether potential employees pose a threat to children.

Currently, only a limited number of youth organizations have the ability to screen applicants using FBI fingerprint data.

“As a parent, I know that you can never do enough to try and keep your children safe,” said Ensign.  “If signed into law, this bill would provide some additional peace of mind by making FBI background checks available to organizations that host our children.”

“Youth organizations need enhanced screening tools so they can take every precaution to keep sexual predators away from our children,” Bayh said. “Youth organizations must be able to conduct a true national background check to ensure that the people entrusted with our children’s safety are fit for that responsibility. This legislation will help keep convicted criminals away from young people.”

In 2003, Congress passed a pilot program which allowed a limited number of YSOs to run FBI background checks on prospective volunteers. Of the approximately 50,000 checks conducted, nearly six percent of all YSO applicants reviewed were found to have criminal backgrounds that made them unsuitable to work with children. Many had committed crimes in states other than where they sought to work.

Expanded access to FBI background checks for youth-serving organizations has been endorsed by the Afterschool Alliance, the American Camp Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Boys & Girls Club of America, and the YMCA.

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