Neighborhood groups are less organized than the Scouts or churches and have even less money. Requiring groups to pay for background checks on everyone would cost too much. In Florida, more than 1 million people chaperone kids on field trips and support children's activities in various ways. Thus the idea that parents should pay for checks they want. The 1993 National Child Protection Act lets states use the Federal Bureau of Investigation computer for background checks if they pass enabling legislation.
Few states have.
Not all states' records are in the system, and a child molester who had not been convicted of a crime wouldn't be listed. Rep. Rojas thinks fingerprinting and background checks would deter pedophiles from seeking out kids' groups. But he acknowledges the odds are extremely small that a child molester will be discovered by a background check. Supporters say if this bill protects one child, it's worth it. Opponents say it has significant potential for abuse and could create a false sense of security that makes adults less likely to educate themselves about the threat.