The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee today approved legislation to strengthen protections for youth enrolled in residential treatment facilities. The Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act (H.R. 911) was introduced after the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) uncovered instances of abuse, neglect, and even the loss of life at such facilities, often referred to as “boot camp" programs for troubled youth. Similar legislation was approved by the House last year.
“Although many troubled youth have benefited from residential treatment programs, the instances of abuse or worse are overshadowing what works," said Rep. Howard P. “Buck" McKeon (R-CA), the panel’s top Republican. “After working with the majority to ensure oversight and regulatory authority remains with the states, I believe this legislation represents an important step toward ensuring the young people enrolled in these facilities are protected, and that the horror stories we’ve heard will not be repeated."
The legislation approved by the Education and Labor Committee reflects a bipartisan compromise negotiated last year. Republicans successfully argued that states, and not the federal government, are best equipped to oversee the programs operating within their borders. Rather than creating parallel federal and state regulatory schemes, the bill approved by the Committee focuses on a system of state oversight. The federal government is able to ensure states are doing their part to protect young people by requiring that they implement such systems in order to receive funding under the existing Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
Republicans secured a number of other key reforms to the legislation, including parental notification requirements for any changes in their children’s medical treatment; an extension of the bill’s protections to youth enrolled in public facilities; and protections against turning the bill into a trial lawyer payday.
