House Passes "Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act" to Safeguard Kids in Care Programs

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about 2 months ago - Politics

House of Representatives Passes New Law to Protect Kids in Residential Programs

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a new piece of legislation was passed to better protect children living in special care programs. These programs are places where kids who might have tough problems go to get help and live safely. This law is called the "Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act".

Here's what the law plans to do:

  • The bill asks an important group of experts to study these care programs for 10 years. Every two years, they must report what they've found about how these programs are working or not working.

  • The study will look at many things like how often abuse happens, what causes it, and how the programs are funded. It will also see how well the rules are working and how information is shared among people who run these programs.

  • An important part of the bill is to make sure that people who work with these kids are better trained. The goal is to use less physical force and create safer and more caring places for the kids to live.

The purpose of all these steps is to keep children safer and help them get better support. This is especially crucial because many of these kids are vulnerable and need extra care. By passing this law, the House of Representatives is taking a big step toward making sure that kids in these programs have their rights and well-being protected.

This is a law that aims to study and prevent child abuse in places where youth live for treatment or correction, called youth residential programs. The main focus is on identifying the problems in these programs and figuring out how to fix them.

The government will hire experts to study how young people are treated in these programs. They will look into how often abuse happens, what causes it, and how severe it is. They also want to know about the money these programs get and how they are run.

Every two years, for 10 years, these experts will give a report that helps understand all these issues better. They will suggest ways to improve how these programs are managed and funded, and how staff in these programs can be better trained.

These reports will also offer ideas for creating community-based help for youth, which means supporting children in their homes or close to their communities instead of sending them away to residential programs.

406 votes

Yes

373

No

33

Not Voting

23

  1. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  2. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1351.
  3. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7278-7281; text: CR H7278-7279)
  4. Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. Held at the desk.
  6. Received in the House.
  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  8. Engrossed in Senate

    This is a law that aims to study and prevent child abuse in places where youth live for treatment or correction, called youth residential programs. The main focus is on identifying the problems in these programs and figuring out how to fix them.

    The government will hire experts to study how young people are treated in these programs. They will look into how often abuse happens, what causes it, and how severe it is. They also want to know about the money these programs get and how they are run.

    Every two years, for 10 years, these experts will give a report that helps understand all these issues better. They will suggest ways to improve how these programs are managed and funded, and how staff in these programs can be better trained.

    These reports will also offer ideas for creating community-based help for youth, which means supporting children in their homes or close to their communities instead of sending them away to residential programs.

  9. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6973-6974)
  10. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  11. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6952)
  12. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  13. Introduced in Senate

    This bill sets up a new system to stop child abuse in places where children live away from their homes for care or treatment. It focuses on gathering better information and sharing ways to protect these children effectively.

    Here’s what the bill does:

    1. Creates a Federal Work Group: A group of experts from different government departments will join to find the best ways to take care of children in these living facilities. They will look at how kids are being treated and make sure they are safe and healthy.

    2. Gathers Information: The team will collect data on how long kids stay in these facilities, how they are treated, and what happens to them after they leave. This helps to understand and improve the conditions.

    3. Writes Reports: Every two years, the group will write a report that suggests how to better share good care practices across the country. These suggestions will help make sure all kids are treated kindly and safely.

    4. Encourages Better Training: Workers in these facilities will get training to handle situations without using force. They will learn about the special needs of the kids they are caring for and how to help them the best.

    5. Looks for Alternatives: The bill encourages finding ways to help children stay with their families instead of moving to these facilities. This can include helping families cope better or giving kids the care they need at home.

    This work aims to make life safer and happier for children who live in residential programs, making sure they get good care and have a chance to lead a healthy life.

  14. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  15. Introduced in Senate