Senators Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) have introduced in the U.S. Senate a measure designed to protect teens in residential programs from abuse. The Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2014 establishes standards intended to prevent abuse and improve teens’ access to medical care during emergencies. The bill would prohibit physical or mental abuse of children and teens in the care of residential programs, as well as forbidding the withholding of essential food, water, clothing, shelter, or medical care and restricting the use of restraints. The bill also requires programs to obtain parental consent before making nonemergency changes to a child’s medication. Under the bill, any deaths must be reported to the protection and advocacy system within 48 hours after the state is informed.
The measure would apply to public and private residential programs that provide behavioral modification programs and therapeutic boarding schools designed for children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health problems or alcohol or substance abuse issues.
To read the bill, S-2054, click here.
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