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Bonamici-Sponsored Bill to Prevent Child Abuse Moves to House Floor

May 8, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC [05/8/19] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, praised the Education and Labor Committee's approval of a bill that will help to prevent and treat child abuse.

Bonamici co-led the bipartisan Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which takes bold steps to prevent child abuse. Importantly, the legislation strengthens federal investments in community-based prevention services so families can receive help before children suffer, and creates a data exchange system to streamline communication from child protection agencies between and among states.

A video of Bonamici's remarks at the markup can be found here.

"Child maltreatment is a public health crisis and a threat to the future of our country," Bonamici said at the markup. "In recent years, the rate at which children are abused and neglected has steadily increased, and evidence suggests that the opioid crisis is giving rise to new challenges in protecting vulnerable children.

"In my home state of Oregon, I have met with parents, health care professionals, community leaders, veterans, and people from all walks of life who have shared heart-wrenching stories about how the opioid crisis is taking lives and inflicting pain on families," Bonamici continued. "Congress has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of our nation's children, especially our most vulnerable children, and to update our approach."

Bonamici co-led the legislation with three Democrats and four Republicans: Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03), Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. James Comer (KY-01), Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-at-Large), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (NC-05).

The Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, which Bonamici chairs, has jurisdiction over CAPTA and held a hearing on the bill and the underlying issues in March.

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Issues:Education