Bill supported by Celebrity and businessman Paris Hilton It is headed to President Biden's desk after the House passed the law on Wednesday, a week after the Senate unanimously approved it.
the “Stop Institutionalized Child Abuse Act” It requires more oversight of residential treatment facilities for youth, a regulation Hilton spent years lobbying for after she testified that she was sexually assaulted when she was 17 at a boarding school in Utah.
The bipartisan bill was co-sponsored by 23 lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Texas, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon. and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
Once the bill is enacted, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would have 45 days to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine “to conduct a study to examine the status of youth in youth residential programs and make recommendations,” according to the text.
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, backed by celebrity and entrepreneur Paris Hilton, was passed by Congress on Wednesday and now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
Hilton celebrated Congress passes the bill in a social media post on Wednesday where she stated in part that “today is a day (she) will never forget.”
“This moment is proof that our voices matter, that speaking out can lead to change, and that no child should have to endure the horrors of abuse in silence. I did this for the younger version of me and for the young people who have been senselessly taken from us by the industry.” Troubled teens,” she wrote on X.
She thanked “the countless survivors who shared their stories,” “the families who stood with us” and the lawmakers “who chose courage over complacency.”
“And to the children who are still trapped in these systems: I will never stop fighting for you. Change is possible!” She concluded.
Paris Hilton champions child care reform: 'The most shocking experience of my life'
The law requires the National Academies to submit a report within three years, and every two years thereafter for a decade, detailing various issues, including “the nature, prevalence, seriousness, and scope of child abuse, neglect, and fatalities” in the programs. .
Reports must also include who is funding the project Youth housing programs At the state and federal levels.
Recommendations will also be made on how to better train workers in areas that may come into contact with institutionalized youth, and how to implement “positive behavioral interventions.”
Hilton celebrated Congress' passage of the bill on Wednesday after years of calling for better protections for institutionalized minors. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
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Hilton has also made an impact Similar legislation Protecting institutionalized minors in eight states.
