(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 4894. This legislation, which was supported by the Republican Main Street Partnership, will provide schools with access to national crime information databases. "This legislation will help schools and other educational institutions conduct more effective background checks on new employees," said Sarah Chamberlain Resnick, Executive Director. "We are pleased that the House has taken this important step to protect our children."

The legislation, which was an important element of Main Street’s 2006 policy agenda, was introduced by Main Street member John Porter (R-NV). More than a dozen other Main Street House members joined Porter in co-sponsoring HR 4894.

The legislation would allow states to request that the Justice Department conduct fingerprint-based checks of public or private school employees, job applicants, or volunteers for positions involving work with or around children. HR 4894 protects against the unauthorized disclosure of information gathered during these background checks by providing criminal penalties for any unauthorized use of this data.

"This legislation is a win for schools, parents, and - most importantly - children every where. Main Street will continue to pursue a legislative agenda that offers common sense solutions to issues average Americans care deeply about," concluded Resnick.

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building the Republican Party as a fiscally conservative, inclusive "Governing Majority," where political debate is encouraged to promote common sense values and improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of republican ideologies and values, RMSP is the largest organization of elected Republican centrists in the nation, with over 60 members in the U.S. House and Senate. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org .