CHILD Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1528
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-22: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-24T17:12:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025 (also called the CHILD Act of 2025) amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to expand access to federal background checks. It allows businesses and organizations (known as "qualified entities") that serve vulnerable populations—mainly children—to request checks for their contractors, as well as for individuals they license or certify to provide care.
Key Provisions
- Expands definition of "covered individual": Updates Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act (codified at 34 U.S.C. 40104(9)(B)) to include more people eligible for FBI criminal history background checks.
- Contractors (and those seeking to contract) with qualified entities.
- Individuals employed by, volunteering with, or seeking employment/volunteering with an entity under contract with a qualified entity.
- Individuals licensed or certified (or seeking licensure/certification) by a qualified entity to provide care.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds contractors and subcontractors: Inserts language to cover those who "contract with" qualified entities and those working for entities contracted by qualified entities (previously limited to direct employees and volunteers).
- Includes licensing/certification: Adds a new category for people licensed or certified by qualified entities (not previously covered).
- These changes broaden who qualifies for streamlined FBI background checks under the National Child Protection Act, which previously focused mainly on direct employees and volunteers of qualified entities.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Increases demand on the FBI for background checks, potentially requiring more resources for processing.
- On citizens and organizations: Qualified entities gain easier access to checks, improving hiring and oversight of contractors and certified providers; may reduce risks to vulnerable populations like children.
- On international relations: No direct impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Qualified entities: Businesses and organizations serving children or vulnerable groups (e.g., childcare providers, youth programs).
- Workers and applicants: Contractors, volunteers, employees, and those seeking licenses/certifications for care roles.
- Vulnerable populations: Primarily children, who benefit from enhanced safety screening.
- Federal agencies: FBI (handles checks) and Department of Justice (oversees the law).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens child protection by closing gaps in background check access; relies on existing FBI infrastructure for efficiency.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with government interest in public safety without infringing on privacy (checks are voluntary and limited to criminal history).
- Political: Passed the Senate in 2026; promotes accountability in care sectors, potentially bipartisan appeal for child safety.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-22: Held at the desk.
- 2026-04-22: Received in the House.
- 2026-04-22: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-04-21: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1854; text: CR S1854)
- 2026-04-21: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.
- 2025-07-28: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-07-28: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-07-24: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2716)
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025 — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (4 pages)
- Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (3 pages)
- Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-28 — PDF (4 pages)