[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                PROTECT ACT OF 2003 TECHNICAL AMENDMENT

  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I rise today to speak to an issue that we 
need to promptly address. As part of the Protect Act of 2003, we 
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 bill 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.

                          ____________________