Author Topic: Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse  (Read 2940 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 001010

  • Posts: 609
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« on: April 25, 2005, 09:10:00 AM »
Bill #?

Copy of the bill?

Any more details?

Thanks to everyone who's getting involved.

The people's right to change what does not work is one of the greatest
principles in our system of government

--Richard M. Nixon

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
[size=79]EST (Landmark/Lifespring/Discovery) \'83
Salesmanship Club \'84-\'86
Straight, Inc. \'86-\'88[/size]

Offline cherish wisdom

  • Posts: 586
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2005, 11:58:00 AM »
If you go to http://www.emancipationproject.org - the bill and the press release and other information are just a click away.  Look under legislative watch.

Background:  On April 20, 2005, Congressman George Miller (left) introduced HR 1738 -- the "End Institutional Abuse Against Children Act" -- into the United States House of Representatives.  The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Education and the Workforce and to the Committee on International Relations.

The bill would: (1) provide $50 million in funding to states to support the licensing of child residential treatment programs. States would have to monitor the programs regularly to ensure their compliance with licensing requirements; (2) establish federal civil and criminal penalties for the abuse of children in residential treatment programs; (3) expand federal authority to regulate programs located overseas but run by U.S. companies and provide civil penalties for program operators that violate federal regulations; and (4) require the State Department to report any abuse of American children overseas.


[ This Message was edited by: cherish wisdom on 2005-04-25 09:01 ]
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
If you lack wisdom ask of God and it shall be given to you.\"

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2005, 12:03:00 PM »
HR 1738 -- the "End Institutional Abuse Against Children Act"

The bill would: (1) provide $50 million in funding to states to support the licensing of child residential treatment programs. States would have to monitor the programs regularly to ensure their compliance with licensing requirements; (2) establish federal civil and criminal penalties for the abuse of children in residential treatment programs; (3) expand federal authority to regulate programs located overseas but run by U.S. companies and provide civil penalties for program operators that violate federal regulations; and (4) require the State Department to report any abuse of American children overseas.

Share you views with Congressman Miller about this bill:
Hon. George Miller
2205 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2095
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed ... 42005.html
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline 001010

  • Posts: 609
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2005, 03:46:00 PM »
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We should all contact our state and federal representatives and urge them to look into this national/and state epidemic of child/teen private behavior modification programs basically being private POW camps for kids.

Please, make calls, send letters, start petitions!

All of these[/i] programs coming down is the answer which means we can?t stop until Melvin Sembler, Robert Lichfield, and the like are held accountable!
 
Use your voice for the power of good.

Thank you ~  :nworthy:  

The religion of one age is the literary entertainment of the next.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, poet, philosopher



_________________
EST 1983
Salesmanship Club '84-'86
Straight, Inc. '86-'88

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. ~ Edmund Burke
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
[size=79]EST (Landmark/Lifespring/Discovery) \'83
Salesmanship Club \'84-\'86
Straight, Inc. \'86-\'88[/size]

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2005, 04:39:00 PM »
How will this bill help kids who are in residential boarding schools?  How will it help kids who are sent to schools that are not labeled as "treatment" facilities?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline tommyfromhyde1

  • Posts: 214
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2005, 04:53:00 PM »
Quote
On 2005-04-25 13:39:00, Anonymous wrote:

"How will this bill help kids who are in residential boarding schools?  How will it help kids who are sent to schools that are not labeled as "treatment" facilities? "

Such as Hyde School.

Pray: To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.
--Ambrose Bierce

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Antigen

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12992
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://wwf.Fornits.com/
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2005, 04:53:00 PM »
I don't think it will help in any direct way. It will make life just a bit more inconvenient and expensive for some of these places. And that it's introduced as legislation, it will encourage (but not necessarily require) at least some discussion and conciousness of the problem by Congresscritters. But, at the end of the day, it'll be so full of loop holes and back-room deals it won't really mean a thing. So, if it counts at all, I guess it's the thought that counts. And I am grateful to Rep. Miller for the thought, time and trouble that he's put into this. This can't possibly be making him any friends on the hill. In fact, I imagine he's been surprised more than once at who's toes he finds himself stepping on.

On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarreling, fighting, burning and torturing one another for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind.
--Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President, author, scientist, architect, educator, and diplomat

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Don\'t let the past remind us of what we are not now."
~ Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

Offline Antigen

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12992
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://wwf.Fornits.com/
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2005, 04:57:00 PM »
Quote
On 2005-04-25 09:03:00, Anonymous wrote:

 (4) require the State Department to report any abuse of American children overseas.


Isn't that what the State Dept is supposed to do? A few years ago, some practical joker actually introduced (and I think it passed, too) legislation requiring AG attorneys to abide by the laws in the jurisdictions in which they were working.

HELLO!!!! Anybody home! If they don't respect and obey the law, then how is another law (or, actually, a redundant rephrasing of current law) going to make a difference?????

More monkey in the middle.

The time appears to me to have come when it is the duty of all to make their dissent from religion known.
--John Stuart Mill

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Don\'t let the past remind us of what we are not now."
~ Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2005, 05:06:00 PM »
How did I "fuck up"?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Antigen

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12992
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://wwf.Fornits.com/
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2005, 05:07:00 PM »
What are you talking about?

Web pages are like babies -- creation involves a level of enthusiasm that does not necessarily carry over into maintenance.
--Joe Chew

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Don\'t let the past remind us of what we are not now."
~ Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2005, 05:11:00 PM »
Did you just send me a message that ended with "This message has already self destructed."
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Antigen

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12992
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://wwf.Fornits.com/
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2005, 06:25:00 PM »
No... but I vaguely remember sending something like that months ago.... can't remember the content now or the reason why I sent it.

Save our planet; it's the only one with chocolate!

--Andi, domestic goddess

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Don\'t let the past remind us of what we are not now."
~ Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2005, 07:53:00 PM »
Wow, it just popped up like an instant message today.  Pretty freaky.  It must have been in lala land for a while....sorta like floating around in cyberspace if you know what I mean.

How do you do those instant messages like that?

Oh yeah, how did I "fuck up"?  If you care to elaborate?  I don't think I did.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline cherish wisdom

  • Posts: 586
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Congressman George Miller's bill to curb institutional abuse
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2005, 01:53:00 AM »
A BILL
To assure the safety of American children in foreign-based and domestic institutions, and for other purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `End Institutionalized Abuse Against Children Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONS.

(a) In General- In order to assure the safety and welfare of American children residing in foreign-based institutions, the Attorney General shall seek the cooperation of appropriate foreign authorities in order to investigate such facilities or institutions periodically. Such an investigation shall include a determination of the institution's compliance with any local safety, health, sanitation and educational laws and regulations, including all licensing requirements applicable to the staff of the institution and compliance with this section. The Attorney General shall seek the cooperation of appropriate foreign authorities to remedy any threat to the safety or welfare of those children, discovered through such an investigation.

(b) Rules and Enforcement- (1) The Attorney General shall make rules to protect the safety and wellbeing of American children who are kept in a foreign based institution for purposes of behavior modification.

(2) Whoever, being a United States citizen or national, or other private entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any State or political subdivision of the United States, violates a rule made under this subsection shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000.

(c) Definitions- As used in this section--

(1) the term `foreign-based institution' means any facility or institution--

(A) owned, operated, or managed by a United States citizen or other private entity organized under the laws of the United States; and

(B) for persons, including persons who are residing in such facility or institution, for purposes of receiving care or treatment or behavior modification; and

(2) the term `American children' means American citizens or nationals 18 years of age or younger.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

(a) Part I of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961- Section 116 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(g)(1) The report required by subsection (d) shall include, wherever applicable, a description of the nature and extent of child abuse or human rights violations against persons who are 18 years of age or younger at institutions described in paragraph (2) that are located in each foreign country.

`(2) An institution referred to in paragraph (1) is a facility or institution--

`(A) owned, operated, or managed by a United States citizen or other private entity organized under the laws of the United States; and

`(B) for persons, including persons who are residing in such facility or institution, for purposes of receiving care or treatment or behavior modification.'.

(b) Part II of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961- Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(i)(1) The report required by subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable, a description of the nature and extent of child abuse or human rights violations against persons who are 18 years of age or younger at institutions described in paragraph (2) that are located in each foreign country.

`(2) An institution referred to in paragraph (1) is a facility or institution--

`(A) owned, operated, or managed by a United States citizen or other private entity organized under the laws of the United States; and

`(B) for persons, including persons who are residing in such facility or institution, for purposes of receiving care or treatment or behavior modification.'.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO SUPPORT INSPECTIONS OF CHILD RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.

(a) In General- The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title:

`TITLE III--GRANTS TO STATES TO SUPPORT INSPECTIONS OF CHILD RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES

`SEC. 301. GRANTS TO STATES.

`The Secretary is authorized to make grants to States to support inspections of child residential treatment facilities.

`SEC. 302. APPLICATION.

`The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 301 unless the State submits to the Secretary an application for the grant at such time, in such form and manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

`SEC. 303. ELIGIBILITY.

`(a) In General- The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 301 unless the State has in effect laws to require the licensing of child residential treatment facilities in accordance with the requirements of subsection (b) and the State is enforcing such State laws in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c).

`(b) Licensing Requirements- The licensing requirements referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

`(1) The State requires any person who operates a child residential treatment facility to be issued a license for the operation of the facility, and the license is in effect.

`(2) The facility meets applicable standards of the State for the provision of treatment services for children with emotional, psychological, developmental, or behavioral dysfunctions, impairments, or chemical dependencies.

`(3) In the case of each child who is a resident of the facility and whose domicile is another State, the facility meets the standards of such other State for the operation of such a facility, including any licensing standards.

`(4) With respect to State law that prohibits the physical or mental abuse of children and the neglect of children, the law of the State in which the facility is located applies to the facility standards for the care of children who are residents of the facility, including enforcement standards, that are equivalent to the standards applied by the State to parents or legal guardians.

`(5) The State requires periodic, unannounced inspections of the facility to determine compliance with applicable law, including law regarding the licensing of health professionals and law regarding the standards referred to in paragraph (4).

`(c) Enforcement Requirements- The enforcement requirements referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

`(1) IN GENERAL-

`(A) CIVIL PENALTY- A person who operates a child residential treatment facility in violation of the requirements under subsection (b) is subject to a civil penalty of $250 per day until the violation is corrected, except that the number of days for which the penalty is assessed may not exceed 60 days.

`(B) ORDER TO TERMINATE OPERATIONS- With respect to a violation of the requirements under subsection (b), if a civil penalty under subparagraph (A) for the violation is assessed for 60 days, the State orders that the child residential treatment facility involved terminate all operations.

`(2) ABUSE OR NEGLECT-

`(A) CIVIL PENALTY- If a child residential treatment facility engages in the abuse or neglect of a child who is a resident of the facility, each person who owns or operates the facility, and each of the officers, employees, or contractors thereof who engaged in the abuse or neglect, is subject to a civil penalty for each such violation in an amount determined by the State, but not less than $20,000 for all violations adjudicated in a single proceeding.

`(B) CRIMINAL PENALTY- If a child residential treatment facility engages in the abuse or neglect of a child who is a resident of the facility, each person who owns or operates the facility, and each of the officers, employees, or contractors thereof who engaged in the abuse or neglect, shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

`(C) ABUSE OR NEGLECT- For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), the term `abuse or neglect', with respect to a child, means a knowing act or omission that the officer, employee, or contractor involved knows or should know will result in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or will present an imminent risk of serious harm.

`SEC. 304. USE OF FUNDS.

`A State that receives a grant under section 301 shall use amounts under the grant to--

`(1) hire and train individuals who have appropriate expertise in the health profession, including the mental health profession, to carry out periodic, unannounced inspections of child residential treatment facilities in accordance with section 303(b)(5); and

`(2) collect and maintain data from the inspections of such child residential treatment facilities to be included in the report required by section 306.

`SEC. 305. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.

`A State that receives a grant under section 301 shall use amounts under the grant only to supplement the level of non-Federal funds that, in the absence of amounts under the grant, would be expended for activities authorized under the grant, and not to supplant those non-Federal funds.

`SEC. 306. REPORT.

`The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 301 unless the State agrees that it will submit to the Secretary for each fiscal year for which it receives a grant under such section a report that contains such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including a detailed description of the number of child residential treatment facilities located in the State, the number of children residing at such facilities, the State domicile of each child prior to entry at such a facility, and the age, gender, and disability (if any) of each child at such a facility.

`SEC. 307. DEFINITIONS.

`In this title:

`(1) CHILD- The term `child' means an individual 18 years of age or younger.

`(2) CHILD RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY; FACILITY- The term `child residential treatment facility' or `facility' means a facility that--

`(A) provides a 24-hour group living environment for one or more children who are unrelated to the owner or operator of the facility; and

`(B) offers for the children room or board and specialized treatment, behavior modification, rehabilitation, discipline, emotional growth or rehabilitation services for youths with emotional, psychological, developmental, or behavioral dysfunctions, impairments, or chemical dependencies.

`(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

`(4) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

`SEC. 308. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

`There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and 2007.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

He that lives upon hope will die fasting
--Benjamin Franklin 1758

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
If you lack wisdom ask of God and it shall be given to you.\"