A bill backed by celebrity and entrepreneur Paris Hilton will now head to President Biden’s desk after the House passed it Wednesday, a week after it passed unanimously in the Senate.
The “Institutional Child Abuse Prevention Act” requires stricter supervision of juvenile residential facilities, and after Hilton testified that she had been sexually abused at a boarding school in Utah when she was 17 years old, the law required the government to strengthen supervision over juvenile facilities. We have been lobbying for the enactment of this regulation.
The bipartisan bill includes Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tommy Tuberville (Alabama), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Conn.). It was co-sponsored by 23 members of Congress, including (Oregon). Congressman Ro Khanna (Democrat of California)
If the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would have 45 days to enter into an agreement with the National Institutes of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to “conduct a study to examine the conditions of youth in youth residential programs and make recommendations.” There is. ” according to the text.
Paris Hilton urges House to pass “Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act” by unanimous Senate
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, championed by celebrity and entrepreneur Paris Hilton, passed Congress on Wednesday and now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Hilton celebrated Congress’ passage of the bill in a social media post Wednesday, saying in part, “Today is the day.” [she] I’ll never forget it. ”
“This moment is proof that our voices matter, that speaking up can be a catalyst for change, and that no child should ever have to endure the horror of abuse in silence. When I was young I did this for myself and for the young people who have been unfairly taken from us in the “troubled teen industry,” she wrote to X.
She thanked the “countless survivors who have shared their stories,” the “families who have stood by us,” and the “lawmakers who have chosen courage over complacency.”
“And to the children who are still trapped in this system: I will never stop fighting for you. Change is possible!” she concluded.
Paris Hilton Champions on child welfare reform: ‘The most traumatic experience of my life’
The law requires the national academies to submit a report within three years detailing a variety of issues, including “the nature, prevalence, severity, and extent of child abuse, neglect, and deaths” in the program, and then 10 years after that. The annual report is required to be submitted every two years. .
The report must also include who funds youth residential programs at the state and federal level.
Recommendations will also be made on how to better train people working in fields that may come into contact with institutionalized youth and how to implement “positive behavioral interventions.”
Hilton celebrated Congress passing the bill on Wednesday after years of advocating for stronger protections for institutionalized minors. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Hilton also influenced similar laws protecting institutionalized minors in eight states.
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