A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "CHILD Act of 2025," seeks to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993. The primary goal is to expand the scope of background checks for those working with vulnerable populations. It allows businesses and organizations to request checks for contractors and individuals who are licensed or certified by those entities. These changes ensure that more people working with vulnerable groups are subject to scrutiny.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill enhances protections for vulnerable populations, including children, through expanded background check mandates.
- Scored +4
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill enhances safety oversight for those working with vulnerable populations, which often include people with disabilities.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill allows businesses to more comprehensively vet contractors and licensed individuals working with vulnerable populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased oversight of contractors: By inserting language regarding those who "contract with" an employer, the bill allows businesses to request background checks for contractors working with vulnerable populations (Section 2).
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Expanded coverage for volunteers and seekers: The bill adds a provision for individuals who "is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under contract with a qualified entity" (Section 2).
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Verification of licensed professionals: The act adds a provision for those who are "licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or certified, by a qualified entity" (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill enhances protections for vulnerable populations, including children, through expanded background check mandates. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill enhances safety oversight for those working with vulnerable populations, which often include people with disabilities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows businesses to more comprehensively vet contractors and licensed individuals working with vulnerable populations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases the scope of required background check documentation for entities working with vulnerable groups.
- 4/22/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 4/21/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1854; text: CR S1854)
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/28/2025
- Committee on the Judiciary. Reported without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.
- 7/24/2025
- Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2716)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia