Washington » The U.S. House signed off on legislation Monday that seeks to end abuse in programs for troubled teens, such as the wilderness camps operating throughout Utah.
The bill passed on a vote of 295 to 102. Utah Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson voted for the bill. Republican Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz voted against it.
Proponents of the legislation say it will help keep kids safe as they participate in boot-camp style activities. The bill prohibits any punishment that denies food, water, clothing, shelter or medical care. It would limit forcible restraints and allow the children access to a telephone.
The legislation also would set up a Web site allowing parents to see which programs have faced substantiated abuse claims. The bill follows a government audit that found more than 1,000 cases of abuse in such programs since the early 1990s, including cases where a child has died in Utah.
"These horrific abuses continue to put the lives of far too many children in jeopardy," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif, the bill's sponsor.
Bishop has said Utah already has more stringent guidelines than those contained in the legislation. He has also criticized Democrats for rejecting Republican amendments to give parents control of medication given to teens in the programs and limit the cases of abuse publicized online to those proven in court.
