The Senate Judiciary Committee on Oct. 5, 2025, reported a bill the transcript identifies as the "child act of 2025" (S.1528 referenced in the markup) that would require nationwide background checks for individuals who have unsupervised access to children.

Senator Dick Durbin and Chairman Chuck Grassley were listed as lead sponsors in committee remarks. Sponsors described the provision as extending important protections to ensure people with unsupervised access to children are subject to a nationwide background-check process.

Action: The committee voted to report the bill to the Senate floor. The transcript records the chair recognizing lead sponsors, a brief sponsor statement and a voice vote; the clerk recorded that the ayes had it and the bill would be reported.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill would standardize background checks for people working with or caring for children, which lawmakers described as a child-protection measure aimed at preventing individuals with disqualifying records from having unsupervised access to children.