Judiciary Statement: "Protect Act of 2003 Technical Amendment"

JUDICIARY STATEMENT: "PROTECT ACT OF 2003 TECHNICAL AMENDMENT"

Statement of Chairman Orrin G. Hatch
before the
Senate Judiciary Committee

Executive Business Meeting on
"Protect Act of 2003 Technical Amendment"

I would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Substitute to S. 1280 proposed by Senator Biden and me. This measure affects that part of the Protect Act of 2003 that authorized a pilot program to study the feasibility of instituting a national background check for those who volunteer in children's activities. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will provide its expertise to assist volunteer organizations in evaluating the criminal records of volunteers to determine if the volunteers are fit to interact and provide care for children.

Currently, the Protect Act tasks the National Center with operating the cyber tip line in addition to its participation in the pilot program. The Protect Act presently immunizes the National Center for operating the cyber tip line as long as it does so consistent with the purpose of the tip line. However, no similar protection was provided with respect to the National Center's activities related to the pilot program. The substitute Senator Biden and I have offered will extend the immunity to the National Center for its participation in the pilot program.

I would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this technical fix so that the worthy goals of the pilot program can commence.