Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1351, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. In 2022, there were approximately 34,000 children and adolescents placed in these youth residential treatment programs. These programs play a pivotal role in helping young people navigate mental health and behavioral health challenges. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of youth being mistreated in certain residential treatment programs. This is unacceptable. S. 1351 will require the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study examining the state of youth residential programs. It also requires recommendations on how to improve oversight, disseminate education and training resources, and enhance interagency coordination, among others. Every residential treatment program should be a secure place for children to heal. Parents and guardians deserve transparency. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”