Sen. Charles Schumer is proposing legislation to allow children’s organizations such as the Boy Scouts to access the federal criminal histories of prospective staffers.
His announcement of the bill Sunday follows the arrests of 71 metro-area residents — including a Boy Scout leader and Little League coach — in a child-porn ring.
“What we’ve learned, unfortunately, about sexual predators is the demons in their head sort of push them to go and be part of organizations like this,” Schumer said.
The Child Protection Improvements and Electronic Life and Safety Security Systems Act would give children’s groups the ability to look into a worker’s criminal past regardless of where the crime was committed. Under current law, they can access only the state data.
“I am putting on full-court press to pass legislation that will allow summer camps, little leagues, Boy Scouts and other children’s organization 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,” Schumer said.