Please remember the little children who are still at Majestic Ranch.
A bill was passed that, if signed by the governor and put into law, will force these facilities to be licensed. This will come across the Governor of Utah's desk within the next week or so and we would like to do anything possible to encourage him to sign it.
Time is of the essence so please consider writing to him. A sample letter is below as well as his contact information. I have also included information about the bill and the men behind it.
Utah
Background: Senator Chris Buttars sponsored a bill (SB 176) which would have require state regulation and licensing of private "therapeutic schools" for minors. The bill was approved (3-0) by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on February 4, 2005 and sent to the full Senate.
Senate Bill 176 defined these schools as residential treatment facilities catering to students "who have a history of failing to function at home and in school," private schools that offer room-and-board and "specialized supervision," or treatment programs for emotionally and behaviorally disabled youths.
A representative of Majestic Ranch, a facility housing more than 60 children ages 7 to 12, testified against SB 176 at the committee hearing. A story in the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Majestic Ranch has been investigated three separate times for alleged abuse, resulting in one criminal charge and conviction.
Update: 3-1-05: The licensing requirements for therapeutic schools contained in SB 176 have been merged into SB 107 by Senator Thomas V. Hatch.
SB 107 was passed by the Legislature on 3-1-05.
It now goes to the Governor who is expected to sign it into law. As a result, residential facilities such as Majestic Ranch will have to be licensed by the State of Utah in order to continue operating and will be subject to routine inspections by child protection agencies.
We are encouraging everyone to write to governor Huntsman immediately and to ask that he sign the bill when it comes across his desk. This is happening soon so please take just a few minutes of your very busy day to send him a quick letter. It could make a huge difference.
Hon. Jon Huntsman ph. (801) 538-1000
Governor fax (801) 538-1528
e-mail: click here for form
I'd like to encourage each of you to encourage Gov Huntsman to sign legislation that may improve the conditions for youth seeking treatment in Utah.
Here's a copy of a sample letter - you can use it as a model if you want.
Utah State Capitol Complex
East Office Building, Suite E220
PO Box 142220
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2220
801-538-1000
800-705-2464
Fax 801-538-1528
Lt. Governor's Fax 801-538-1557
RE: Legislation to better regulate Utah Teen-Industry.
Dear Governor Huntsman:
I would encourage you to sign into law Bill 176 that will help to regulate child and teen residential facilities. If you do sign this bill into law you would be improving the conditions for these children and teens.
It is my understanding that your office did accept contributions from the owners of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs but that now that you are aware of their practices you will no longer accept these contributions. I know I can speak for many when I say thank you.
As you are aware there are numerous child and teen programs, boarding schools, wilderness programs, and boot camps in your state. There have been many reports of untherapeutic and inhmane care.
It has been well documented that many children have suffered serious abuse and neglect in these programs. Parents have come forward educating the public of what is going on.
One girl was diagnosed with severe depression and post traumatic stress and instead of receiving the therapy and help she needed was essentially tortured while she was a patient at Provo Canyon School in Orem Utah. The brutal care she received and witnessed was in no way appropriate for her diagnosis.
More must be done to protect the children who come to Utah for therapy and rehabilitation. Many of these children have diagnosed mental illnesses, and must be protected from abusive practices.
Never is it OK for:
A child's face to be put into the manure while being dangersouly restrained
A grown man to drag a child by his neck
A child to be made to stand on a milk crate for long periods of time in sub-freezing temperature
A child to be placed in a locked basement for days on end for seemingly minor infractions
Children to be forced to pick up manure with their bare hands
A child to be made to pick up dead, maggot-infested carcasse
NEVER is it OK to abuse a child!!
These children have little to no contact with the outside world and are often severly punished when they attempt to disclose the abuse they experience or witness.
I continue to be dismayed that these types of programs continue to flourish in Utah. Once again, I admonish you to move forward and do all that you can to make this child/teen-industry safer for all involved.
Very truly yours,
Please pass this on to others.
Thank you.
