Help Pass Background Checks Legislation in the 112th Congress

Help Pass Background Checks Legislation in the 112th Congress
Contact your Senators to ensure the safety of children

Recently, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2011 in the Senate. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Ensign (R-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mike Johanns (R-NE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are all original cosponsors.
This bipartisan bill builds on efforts made in the 111th Congress to present a solid piece of legislation incorporating the views of different aspects of society − from the FBI to states rights groups to the EEOC, and most importantly, the views of those seeing the critical need to protect today’s children.

We need your help NOW in passing this bill. Please contact your Senators and ask for support and cosponsorship of the Child Protection Improvements Act right away.



Message Recipients:
Your U.S. Senators
Delivery Method:
Email
Printed Letter


Subject:

I am writing to ask you to cosponsor the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2011 (S. 645). We need you to act now to ensure that this critical legislation becomes law this year.

Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced this important bipartisan legislation because youth-serving organizations need access to reliable, nationwide background checks to effectively screen prospective employees and volunteers and protect children from harm. Five other Senators signed on as original cosponsors.

Over the past seven years, several youth-serving organizations have been testing access to FBI fingerprint searches through the PROTECT Act pilot. Over 100,000 FBI fingerprint checks have been conducted through the PROTECT Act pilot, and 6.1% of potential volunteers were found to have criminal records of concern. In addition, over 41% of individuals with criminal records had crimes in states other than where they were applying to volunteer � meaning that only a nationwide check would have caught the criminal records. Very serious criminal offenses, including sexual abuse against children, manslaughter, and rapes, have been found.

Unfortunately, outside of the pilot, just one-third of our states allow youth-serving organizations to access FBI searches. Even when these searches are available, high costs and lengthy response times often make them inaccessible. Furthermore, the pilot is set to end on March 31, 2011 making things even more difficult.

S. 645 builds on the success of the pilot and would make these essential background checks permanently available to youth-serving organizations in a streamlined, efficient manner. The bills also keep the background checks as affordable as possible, but at minimal cost to the federal budget.

On behalf of the millions of young people across the country who are involved with mentoring organizations, after-school programs, youth sports, and more � I ask you to co-sponsor this important legislation.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this matter.

Your Closing:
Your Name: