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NY Senator Chuck Schumer issued a Press Release and sent a letter to the Department Of Justice regarding their alleged delay of a new background check system.

An Act To Protect Vulnerable Populations

In 2018, a bill known as the Child Protection Improvements Act (CPIA) was signed into law. It was designed to protect children, the elderly and people with disabilities. To accomplish this, the Act called for the Department Of Justice (DOJ) to create a system from which organizations can run FBI background checks on candidates who might be hired to work with vulnerable populations.

This system was mandated to be in place by March 2019. As of November 2019, that had still not occurred. New York Senator Chuck Schumer, a staunch supporter of the CPIA, got involved to try and move things forward.

Senator Schumer Speaks Out

On November 10, 2019, Senator Schumer issued a Press Release that asked the DOJ to explain why a method for obtaining FBI background checks had not been implemented. Schumer stressed that the safety of children and other vulnerable populations is paramount.

He wrote: “Protecting children, the elderly and people with disabilities from abuse must be a major priority at the Department of Justice, but this no-excuse delay with implementing the Child Protection Improvement Act really makes you worry. We have to have robust employment checks when it comes to staffing afterschool programs, preschools, nursing homes and other organizations that employ people whose job it is to oversee members of a vulnerable population.” Read the Press Release.

In addition to the Press Release, Schumer made several appearances at events in New York. He publicly called for the DOJ to act and repeated that protecting kids from potential sex offenders and abusers is a federal priority. Schumer declared the background check system must be implemented immediately and expressed concern that without it, a tragedy could occur.

Sex Offender Statistics

New York is said to have more than 8,000 people listed on sex offender registries within five counties. According to an article from the Democrat & Chronicle website, the number of registered offenders in New York has increased by 60% over the last decade.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children revealed that there are more than 800,000 sex offenders in the United States. Senator Schumer looks at these statistics as a strong call-to-action for introducing stronger background screening policies. He commented: “This failure to implement the law that makes those checks stronger and easier to accomplish locally endangers the very innocents we sought to protect. That’s why the Department of Justice needs to tell Congress what is going on and then get moving.”

More Support For Stronger Background Checks

The Senator is not alone in his efforts. The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) is also calling for the DOJ to act. Steve Forrester, the Director of Government Relations and Administration at The NYSPCC, issued a statement on this matter.

“As the world’s first child protection agency, The NYSPCC strongly supports the swift implementation of the Child Protection Improvements Act. There are dire consequences for children when pedophiles, and other unsafe adults in positions of trust, gain access to them. In-depth background checks are one of the most important tools that administrators of child-serving organizations have for hiring safe and appropriate employees and volunteers. The CPIA strengthens the screening process in all states, and must be implemented without further delay,”

The Urgency Of Background Screening

When consumers use the services of any business or organization, they expect people who work for those brands to be thoroughly background screened. Comprehensive background checks show employers if a candidate has a sexual, violent or another serious criminal record that makes them ineligible for hire. Running them is an essential part of the due diligence process.

The team at Backgrounds Online can help customize background screening packages that are ideal for any position. Contact us Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm for expert assistance.