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U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and John Ensign, R-Nev., have 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. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the Child Protection Improvements Act would give youth organizations permanent access to FBI fingerprint searches by establishing an applicant processing center where YSOs could screen potential employees. Through that center, YSOs could also tap 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. “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 people entrusted with our children’s safety are fit for that responsibility. This legislation would help keep convicted criminals away from young people.” In 2003, Congress enacted a pilot program allowing a limited number of YSOs to run FBI background checks on prospective volunteers, Of the approximately 50,000 checks conducted, the statement said, nearly 6 percent of all YSO applicants reviewed were found to have criminal backgrounds which made them unsuitable for work with children. “Many had committed crimes in states other than where they sought to work.” Expanded access to FBI background checks for YSOs have been endorsed by the Afterschool Alliance, the American Camp Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the YMCA.
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