A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of Green Bonds and to establish the United States Green Bank, and for other purposes.

The 'CHILD Act of 2025' (S. 1528) amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to expand the definition of 'covered individual' for background checks. This bill mandates background checks for contractors and individuals licensed or certified by entities working with vulnerable populations, in addition to direct employees and volunteers. This change significantly increases the volume of required background checks across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and social services, as organizations must now vet a broader range of personnel. Funding for these background checks will come directly from the businesses and organizations contracting with or licensing individuals, as the bill does not appropriate federal funds for this purpose. Companies specializing in background screening and identity verification are positioned to capture this increased demand. These services are typically provided on a per-check basis, leading to a direct revenue increase for providers. The expanded scope means more checks will be conducted annually. Historically, legislative actions expanding background check requirements have led to increased revenue for screening companies. For example, following the implementation of enhanced background check mandates for certain federal contractors in 2010, companies like First Advantage (then private, now $FA) saw sustained growth in their government and regulated industries segments. While specific market data for that period is proprietary, the underlying mechanism of increased demand for mandated services is consistent. This bill creates a similar, albeit broader, mandate. Specific winners include publicly traded background check and identity verification service providers. TransUnion ($TRU) through its TLOxp and ShareAble for Hires services, Fidelity National Information Services ($FIS) via its FIS Global Screening, and Broadridge Financial Solutions ($BR) which offers background screening solutions, will see increased demand. Additionally, payroll and HR service providers like Automatic Data Processing ($ADP) and Paychex ($PAYX) that integrate background checks into their offerings will benefit from clients seeking comprehensive solutions. The bill does not create direct losers, but organizations that work with vulnerable populations will incur increased operational costs for compliance. This bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Senator Durbin, a senior member and former Chair of the Judiciary Committee, is a sponsor, indicating significant legislative momentum. The next step is committee consideration, followed by a potential floor vote. If passed by both chambers and signed into law, the new requirements would take effect, likely within 6-12 months of enactment, driving immediate demand for background check services.