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A new background check law in California could help protect children in youth organizations.

Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo, recently introduced Senate Bill 447, which would help protect children in youth organizations from sexual predators and other criminals. The bill would reform the criminal background check policy at the state's 36,000 youth organizations and human resource agencies that work with children.

According to an article by the California Chronicle, organizations like the Boy Scouts and youth soccer leagues are currently required to conduct criminal background checks on staff members. Each organization must appoint a custodian of records to review the checks and determine if a potential employee's criminal history poses a potential threat to the organization or its members.

However, the current law allows the custodian of records to review their own criminal record, which could result in a convicted person serving as the custodian of records.

"SB 447 will help protect children from predators and other violent criminals by closing an obvious loophole in the law," Yee said in the article. "Those determining who can work with children should not be reviewing their own records and determining if they are fit to serve. Parents deserve assurance that their kids are safe when they are dropped off at a soccer practice or scouts meeting."

The bill would create a program under which the California Department of Justice would review the criminal record information for custodian of records applicants. The program would be funded by a $30 fee for all custodian of records applicants.

Labels: Background check