Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize that all of us who are parents or Members of Congress, no matter what walk of life we may travel in, want to make sure that our children are safe, are well taken care of, and that the people who care for them at their schools are qualified to do so and don't present a danger to them.

At the same time, I think it is important that we recognize that when we
put barriers to employment that are lifetime bans, that are not sensitive to certain realities as relates to people overcoming criminal backgrounds, and when we put prophylactic rules that don't account for particular offenses in a nuanced way, we do run the risk of doing a good thing, but doing too much of a thing, and thereby leading to some unexpected and unwanted results.

I have had the privilege of talking to Ranking Member Miller about some concerns I have about the bill before us today. I think that the concerns are well within Mr. Miller's frame of mind, and he and I have talked and he has indicated to me that he is willing to work with me to refine the bill to the degree that we can ensure the protection and safety of our children in school, but at the same time make sure that we don't set up precedents that create unwarranted and unnecessary barriers to employment.

At this time I don't think I need to go into the details of each of those. Suffice it to say that if the gentleman would agree that we did talk and we are going to work together on refining the bill as best we can, I would appreciate that.

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ELLISON. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I would say that I spoke to you this morning, and we will obviously continue to work with you. We have tried to draw the line at serious felony violent crimes that people have participated in with respect to the ban. In terms of

drug arrests or whatever, there is a 5-year window that we have started, and we will be glad to continue that conversation.

Mr. ELLISON. Thank you very much.

I also just want to point out that we have talked about inaccurate information, and it is important that we make sure that the records that we are using are the right records and accurate records.

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. If the gentleman will continue to yield, that is why an appeals process is included in this legislation.

Mr. ELLISON. I thank the gentleman.

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