Schumer announces bill to ban pedophiles from working with kids

7-13-2010 Washington DC:

DOBBS FERRY — Current laws prevent sex offenders from teaching in schools but do not prohibit them from working with children in jobs not funded by the government, such as sport coaches, dance and music teachers and carnival-ride operators.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., called this a glaring loophole as he visited a Dobbs Ferry park today to announce legislation he said would restrict pedophiles from any job or volunteer activity that requires substantial interaction with kids.

"The fact that these sex offenders are able to coach our children's teams, operate rides at fairs and give dance and music lessons is beyond scary, and we must take immediate action to stop it," he said during a news conference at Gould Park, joined by U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, and Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law. "This new legislation will close this huge loophole so no children are put into harm's way."

The legislation, which Schumer said he would introduce this week, would ament current law to prevent convicted and registered sex offenders from accepting positions which place them in significant contact with minors. Currently, he said, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 leaves these employment decisions up to the states. Besides requiring states to prevent offenders from accepting such jobs, Schumer said the bill would also require these employers to check a registry, or risk fines, to make sure they're not hiring pedophiles.

"Convicted sex offenders should not be employed in jobs that entail contact with children, period," Lowey said.

Ahearn, whose group is based in Long Island, said, "Most parents want to believe they're doing everything they can to protect their children. What they don't know is they could be handing their children over to convicted sex offenders." ..Source.. by Shawn Cohen

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