Should we grant organizations that serve vulnerable populations the ability to access FBI fingerprint-based background checks?
Bill Summary
This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Department of Justice to establish a program that provides national criminal history background checks and criminal history reviews for individuals who apply to work or volunteer at organizations that serve children, elderly adults, or individuals with disabilities. Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
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Opponents say
• This bill is an overstep of Congressional authority. The FBI database was never intended to be used for employment-related background screening.
• Conducting a fingerprint-based background check is typically not time efficient, which will impede the ability of child-serving organizations to hire staff in a timely manner. br/>
• Conducting a fingerprint-based background check is typically not time efficient, which will impede the ability of child-serving organizations to hire staff in a timely manner. br/>
Proponents say
• “Every organization that serves our youth should have access to the FBI fingerprint-based background check system so they can thoroughly screen anyone who will be working with kids. The results of a multi-year pilot program strongly indicate that this system will be effective in catching child predators who try to avoid detection by moving across state lines.”
• State background checks -- which many child-serving organizations have the ability to request -- are not sufficient to catch child predators who move from state to state to avoid detection. Allowing organizations to obtain FBI fingerprint-based background checks ensures these searches are nationwide and therefore more comprehensive, keeping our children safe.
• State background checks -- which many child-serving organizations have the ability to request -- are not sufficient to catch child predators who move from state to state to avoid detection. Allowing organizations to obtain FBI fingerprint-based background checks ensures these searches are nationwide and therefore more comprehensive, keeping our children safe.
