WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 20: Actress and model Paris Hilton speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol October 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congressional Democrats held a news conference with Hilton to discuss child abuse and legislation to establish a “bill of rights” to protect children placed in congregate care facilities. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON D.C. — Paris Hilton was at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, arguing for reform of troubled teen centers.
The socialite turned lobbyist successfully campaigned for the same thing during Utah’s legislative session earlier this year.
Hilton has teamed up with a handful of lawmakers from around the country to propose the Accountability for Congregate Care Act. The bill would create a Department of Justice Commission to determine best practices in treatment centers. The legislation would also provide grants to improve those centers.
As a teen, Hilton spent time at a center in Provo, and Wednesday she said it still haunts her.
“For 20 years I couldn’t sleep at night, as memories of physical violence feeling of loneliness the loss of peer rushed through my mind when I shut my eyes,” Hilton said. “This was not just insomnia – it was trauma.”
Utah lawmakers approved a bill that would give more government oversight to treatment centers. One of the new requirements asks these facilities to document their use of physical restraint and involuntary confinement and report back to the Utah Office of Licensing.
Now, Hilton urges Congress and President Biden to adopt a federal bill.
“Ensuring children are safe from institutional abuse isn’t a republican or democratic issue,” she said. “It’s a basic human rights issue that requires immediate attention.”
California Congressman Ro Khanna is a co-sponsor of the bill and says, so far, they haven’t seen any pushback.