Schumer Proposes Checking On Youth Volunteers

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is proposing a new federal database where youth organizations could check the criminal backgrounds of adults seeking to volunteer or work with children.

The proposed legislation follows recent child pornography charges against 71 people in the New York City area, including a Boy Scout leader, a Little League coach and individuals who taught at a Jewish girls' seminary and classes at a Catholic church.

The New York Democrat says under current law, most children's organizations in the state have access to only the state criminal background database.

He proposes establishing a national system with access to FBI fingerprint checks and crime information from other states, funded by fees for background running checks.