Rogers’ Child Safety Program Adopted by House

Congressman Introduced Bill to Protect Children from Predators

THURSDAY, July 22, 2010 – U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-MI-08, released the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted to adopt H.R. 1469, The Child Protections Improvement Act, which he introduced with Adam Schiff, D-New York. The measure establishes a clearinghouse run by the FBI that youth-serving organizations can access to run background checks on volunteers who work with children in community-based groups:

“Like all parents, I want to do everything possible to protect our children and keep them safe from predators and criminals. We also want them to experience the opportunities, socialization and education provided by many youth-serving organizations, but to do so in a safe environment. Affordable, comprehensive background checks of volunteers in youth organizations is essential to keep our children secure and give peace of mind to parents, families, educators and local law enforcement.

“The Child Protection Improvements Act creates universal access to nationwide background checks for youth-serving organizations through a national clearinghouse run by the FBI. Our goal is to prevent cases like one we had in Michigan where a mentoring applicant was run through a pilot program and found to be a registered sex offender with a conviction for criminal sexual conduct with a child between 13 and 15 years old.
                                                                               
“As an FBI agent, I saw the consequences of children who became the victims of predators and criminals. Keeping them safe with efforts like this child safety program will protect millions of young people across the nation involved with mentoring organizations, after-school programs, youth sports and many other groups.”