CHILD Act of 2025 Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025
If enacted, SB1528 will significantly impact state laws regarding background checks for individuals involved in caring for vulnerable populations. The amendment proposed in the bill will expand the definition of 'covered individuals' to include not just employees but also contractors and volunteers associated with organizations. This change is intended to widen the net of accountability, ensuring that all individuals potentially interacting with vulnerable populations are vetted appropriately through established background check procedures.
SB1528, titled the Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025 or the CHILD Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993. The primary objective of this bill is to ensure that businesses and organizations working with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for contractors and individuals whom they license or certify to provide care. This initiative aims to enhance the safeguarding of children and vulnerable groups by allowing greater scrutiny of those in caregiving roles.
While supporters of SB1528 argue that it is a necessary step towards improving child protection measures and ensuring the integrity of care providers, there may also be concerns raised regarding the practical implications of implementing widespread background checks. Some critics could argue about the increased burden on organizations to conduct these checks, particularly smaller entities that may not have the resources to handle extensive vetting processes. Furthermore, there can be concerns over privacy and the criteria used for disqualifying individuals from caregiving roles.