By Gabrielle Prusak
Legislation that would give children’s groups access to federal criminal background checks on new employees and volunteers was announced by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) following the arrest of 23 Queens residents charged in a child pornography ring.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation team initiated Operation Caireen after arresting a Westchester County police chief on federal child pornography violations and a Brooklyn rabbi allegedly sharing illicit images over a peer-to-peer Internet network, agents said.
At total of 71 individuals were charged in the child porn ring.
Under current law, most children’s organizations are able to access the state database but are unable to access the FBI database, the most accurate, thorough and up-to-date criminal database.
The state database does not allow a search for records of people from out of state. Schumer noted that if a person applying to be a camp counselor in New York state, for example, has been convicted of an assault in Ohio or committed a sex crime in Florida, there is a chance there might not be any record in the state database.
The new bipartisan legislation Schumer has drawn up, the Child Protection Improvements and Electronic Life and Safety Security Systems Act, would allow organizations serving youth to access the FBI background checks for volunteers and new employees, granting them the accessibility to see if the applicants had committed any violent or sex crimes in the country, regardless of where it was committed and whether it was a state or federal crime.
“With summer around the corner, I am putting on full court press to pass legislation that will allow summer camps, Little Leagues, Boy Scouts and other children’s organizations access to federal background check data that is the most accurate and up-to-date database and will help keep children safe from dangerous predators,” said Schumer.
The legislation would generate a nationally accessible background check for youth organizations and certify access to FBI fingerprint background checks.
Some of the specifics of the legislations would provide these organizations with dependable and accurate information about the well-being of volunteers and employees who have responsibility for the safety of the children in their care.
It would also promote widespread access to state and national criminal history background checks on covered individuals and on employers and employees in the electronic life safety and security systems industry.
“I applaud Sen. Schumer for his ongoing commitment to keeping our most vulnerable safe. This legislation will remove the bureaucratic obstacles that have provided convicted sex offenders unfettered access to potential victims,” said Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan’s Law and the Crime Victims Center.
