Paris Hilton-backed bill aimed at ending abuse at child treatment facilities heads to Biden’s desk

A bill backed by celebrity and entrepreneur Paris Hilton is headed to President Biden’s desk after the House passed the bill Wednesday, a week after it was unanimously approved by the Senate.

The “Stop Institutional Child Abuse Law” requires more oversight of juvenile treatment facilities, a rule Hilton has spent years lobbying for after testifying that she was sexually abused as a 17-year-old at a Utah boarding school.

The bipartisan bill was co-sponsored by 23 lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Ct., Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. and rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

Once the bill is passed, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has 45 days to enter into a contract with the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to “conduct a study to examine the condition of youth in youth housing and make recommendations,” according to the text .

PARIS HILTON URGES HOUSE TO STOP INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE AFTER SENATE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL

The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, backed by celebrity and entrepreneur Paris Hilton, passed Congress on Wednesday and now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Hilton celebrated Congress’ passage of the bill in a social media post Wednesday, saying in part, “today is a day (she) will never forget.”

“This moment is proof that our voices matter, that speaking out can spark change, and that no child should ever have to endure the horrors of abuse in silence. I did this for the younger version of myself and the youth, that was senselessly taken from us by the Troubled Teen Industry,” she wrote on X.

She thanked the “countless survivors who shared their stories,” the “families who stood with us” and the lawmakers “who chose courage over complacency.”

“And to the children still trapped in these systems: I will never stop fighting for you. Change is possible!” she concluded.

PARIS HILTON CHAMPION’S CHILD WELFARE REFORM: ‘THE MOST TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE’

The law requires the National Academies to submit a report within three years, and every two years thereafter for a decade, detailing various issues, including “the nature, prevalence, severity, and extent of child abuse, neglect, and deaths” in the programs.

The reports must also include who funds the youth housing programs at the state and federal levels.

Recommendations will also be made on how to better train those working in areas who may come into contact with institutionalized youth and how to implement “positive behavioral interventions”.

Hilton celebrated the passage of the bill by Congress on Wednesday after years of advocating for better protections for institutionalized minors. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hilton has also influenced similar legislation protecting institutionalized minors in eight states.