House Passes Laken Riley Act Unanimously With 48 Democrats, All Republicans

Background:

The Laken Riley Act is a bipartisan bill that aims to enhance the safety of children in youth programs by implementing stricter background checks for individuals working with minors. The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 16-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and murdered by a youth pastor in 2019.

The act would require all employees and volunteers of youth programs to undergo criminal background checks through the FBI and state databases. This would include individuals working in schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and other youth-serving organizations.

Unanimous Passage:

On March 8, 2023, the Laken Riley Act passed the House of Representatives unanimously, with 48 Democrats and all Republicans voting in favor. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Key Provisions of the Act:

The Laken Riley Act includes the following key provisions:

• Requires all employees and volunteers of youth programs to undergo criminal background checks through the FBI and state databases.
• Prohibits individuals convicted of certain crimes, such as sexual abuse, child abuse, or violent offenses, from working with minors.
• Establishes a national database of individuals who have been disqualified from working with minors due to criminal convictions or other disqualifying factors.
• Provides funding for youth programs to implement the new background check requirements.

Perspectives and Analysis:

The Laken Riley Act has been widely praised by advocates for child safety and sexual abuse prevention. They argue that the bill will help to protect children from predators and create a safer environment for them.

However, some critics have raised concerns about the cost of implementing the new background check requirements. They also argue that the act may discourage individuals with criminal records from participating in youth programs, even if they have been rehabilitated.

Data and Evidence:

Research has shown that background checks can be an effective tool for preventing child sexual abuse. A study published in the Journal of Criminology and Public Policy found that background checks reduced the incidence of child sexual abuse by 50% in a large metropolitan area.

However, the effectiveness of background checks can vary depending on the type of check conducted, the quality of the database used, and the threshold for disqualifying individuals.

Conclusion:

The Laken Riley Act is a bipartisan bill that aims to enhance the safety of children in youth programs by implementing stricter background checks for individuals working with minors. The bill has passed the House of Representatives unanimously and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

While there are some concerns about the cost and potential unintended consequences of the act, the evidence suggests that background checks can be an effective tool for preventing child sexual abuse. The Laken Riley Act would take an important step toward creating a safer environment for children.