Read on Twitter
BREAKING NEWS: @ParisHilton is here in the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify in favor of @mikemckellutah's bill on so-called "troubled teen schools." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Here is the text of @mikemckellutah's bill: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/SB0127.html
It puts more government oversight on these treatment facilities. He says @ParisHilton is here "because she deeply cares." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
It puts more government oversight on these treatment facilities. He says @ParisHilton is here "because she deeply cares." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @mikemckellutah going through the bill, what it does to 248 facilities in Utah:
- Physical/chemical restraint reporting requirements
- On-site visits (including unannounced visits)
- Suicide prevention programs in facilities
- Nondiscrimination policy
- Public complaint process
- Physical/chemical restraint reporting requirements
- On-site visits (including unannounced visits)
- Suicide prevention programs in facilities
- Nondiscrimination policy
- Public complaint process
"We cannot use treatment as a way to humiliate children in this program," @mikemckellutah says.
FYI, a lot of this was uncovered by stellar reporting from @jm_miller at our news partners @sltrib. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
FYI, a lot of this was uncovered by stellar reporting from @jm_miller at our news partners @sltrib. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @ParisHilton now testifying before the committee.
"My name is Paris Hilton. I'm an institutional abuse survivor," she says.
She describes nightmares of being "kidnapped and strip-searched" in a facility. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"My name is Paris Hilton. I'm an institutional abuse survivor," she says.
She describes nightmares of being "kidnapped and strip-searched" in a facility. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @ParisHilton describes being taken from her home and flown to Utah in the middle of the night.
This wasn't her first-time in a facility. She describes being in it in other states. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
This wasn't her first-time in a facility. She describes being in it in other states. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @ParisHilton describes being verbally and physically abused in the Provo Canyon School.
"I was forced to consume medication that made me feel numb and exhausted," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"I was forced to consume medication that made me feel numb and exhausted," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
She describes showers/bathroom breaks were monitored.
"I was just a kid and felt violated every single day," @ParisHilton says.
She calls the staff "evil and sadistic." She was put in solitary confinement. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"I was just a kid and felt violated every single day," @ParisHilton says.
She calls the staff "evil and sadistic." She was put in solitary confinement. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
She says children were restrained, hit thrown into walls and physically and sexually abused.
"There was no way we could call for help," @ParisHilton says.
She says schools got notice of state inspections. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"There was no way we could call for help," @ParisHilton says.
She says schools got notice of state inspections. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Of the claims that Provo Canyon School is under new ownership, she says the staff "remains the same."
"One bragged to staff that she was the one who broke Paris Hilton," @ParisHilton says.
That staffer was fired after Hilton posted a documentary. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"One bragged to staff that she was the one who broke Paris Hilton," @ParisHilton says.
That staffer was fired after Hilton posted a documentary. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"Right now in Utah, there are thousands of children experiencing abuse that do not have access to legal counsel," @ParisHilton says.
She calls for elected officials to lead.
"No child deserves to be tortured and traumatized," she adds.
She calls for elected officials to lead.
"No child deserves to be tortured and traumatized," she adds.
. @ParisHilton says is staring down members of the Senate Judiciary Committee as she testifies.
I watch some senators make eye contact and look down.
Her testimony is very powerful. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
I watch some senators make eye contact and look down.
Her testimony is very powerful. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @ParisHilton says she is dedicating her platform and purpose to shutting down these schools.
"I will not stop fighting until this change happens," she says.
She says children are still enduring what she went through.
"I am proof money doesn't protect against abuse." @fox13
"I will not stop fighting until this change happens," she says.
She says children are still enduring what she went through.
"I am proof money doesn't protect against abuse." @fox13
"People are profiting off the abuse of children," @ParisHilton says, adding it is "despicable."
"It is your duty as an elected official to protect the public," she says, asking them to pass SB127. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"It is your duty as an elected official to protect the public," she says, asking them to pass SB127. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @ParisHilton finishes testifying.
Next up is Caroline Lorson of the group "Breaking Code Silence." She also went through one of these schools at age 14. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Next up is Caroline Lorson of the group "Breaking Code Silence." She also went through one of these schools at age 14. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Lorson describes some schools offering commissions when a referral is made.
She says she was also abducted in the middle of the night "the easy way or the hard way."
"I did not have a a choice to go," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
She says she was also abducted in the middle of the night "the easy way or the hard way."
"I did not have a a choice to go," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Lorson gets emotional as she describes her treatment at one school, including not being allowed to talk to others or even look them in the eye.
"Months at a time," she says. "This is incredibly psychologically distressing." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"Months at a time," she says. "This is incredibly psychologically distressing." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Lorson describes being threatened with her life.
"I witnessed a friend of mine dislocate her arm and for two months they told her to drink more water," she says. "They told her she was faking it and she just wanted attention." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"I witnessed a friend of mine dislocate her arm and for two months they told her to drink more water," she says. "They told her she was faking it and she just wanted attention." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Lorson says she was warned in family phone calls that if she said anything wrong, the call ended immediately. Her letters were also redacted.
"This same treatment is STILL happening," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"This same treatment is STILL happening," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"There is not an industry out there that provides treatment to such vulnerable populations that is so completely unregulated," Lorson testifies, describing it "sub-par, prison housing."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
"This industry has been thriving for decades," Lorson says, calling it a $500 million industry and asking for SB127 to pass.
Next witness is Jeff Netto, who is emotional as he describes being in three facilities in Utah. The first time he was restrained? 13. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Next witness is Jeff Netto, who is emotional as he describes being in three facilities in Utah. The first time he was restrained? 13. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"You're not allowed to contact your parents, you're not supposed to have any contact with anybody," Netto testifies.
He says kids at the facility were 11 to 18 in age. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
He says kids at the facility were 11 to 18 in age. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Netto says he was drugged.
"At first they said Benadryl... and then they started coming in with Thorazine," he says.
I'm watching Netto's foot bounce up and down under the table as he testifies. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"At first they said Benadryl... and then they started coming in with Thorazine," he says.
I'm watching Netto's foot bounce up and down under the table as he testifies. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"This happened to hundreds of us. They lock us down for no reason," he says. "They beat the crap out of you."
He says therapists were fired "and it was just staff members."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
He says therapists were fired "and it was just staff members."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
"My parents were never told of any of this," Netto says.
Netto says he has nothing to gain from being here.
"I didn't want to tell anybody this stuff," he says. "Please look at this bill seriously. It's happening in our state. This ain't Utah." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Netto says he has nothing to gain from being here.
"I didn't want to tell anybody this stuff," he says. "Please look at this bill seriously. It's happening in our state. This ain't Utah." @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"I survived, but I don't know anyone else that has from the place I went," Netto says.
@mikemckellutah says his presentation is concluded.
Now committee questions. Sen. Kennedy asks about chemical constraint?
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
@mikemckellutah says his presentation is concluded.
Now committee questions. Sen. Kennedy asks about chemical constraint?
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @mikemckellutah notes the bill still ALLOWS chemical constraint, but only from licensed facilities (and he warns another bill could happen on that).
Amanda Slater of @UTHumanServices licensing testifies what chemical constraint does. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Amanda Slater of @UTHumanServices licensing testifies what chemical constraint does. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Sen. Kennedy asks where chemical constraint will be?
@UTHumanServices will put it in rules related to licensure, he's told.
Who's credentialed and what's their qualifications? Nurses, PAs, doctors?
Slater says they will definite it in rules (if the bill passes). #utpol
@UTHumanServices will put it in rules related to licensure, he's told.
Who's credentialed and what's their qualifications? Nurses, PAs, doctors?
Slater says they will definite it in rules (if the bill passes). #utpol
Sen. Kennedy asks about these schools' 6% success rate?
"Not impressive," he says, asking why don't they just ban these schools.
@mikemckellutah says "we need to have that discussion, no question."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
"Not impressive," he says, asking why don't they just ban these schools.
@mikemckellutah says "we need to have that discussion, no question."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @derekkitchen says ongoing theme is the abduction in the middle of the night. He wants to know why the bill doesn't address that?
He's looking at other states on language to address it. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
He's looking at other states on language to address it. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @mikemckellutah says "that issue is still to come."
@BennionGay has a similar bill with oversight that Sen. McKell says he supports.
@derekkitchen thanks the witnesses for "powerful testimony."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
@BennionGay has a similar bill with oversight that Sen. McKell says he supports.
@derekkitchen thanks the witnesses for "powerful testimony."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
"This has been a problem in the state of Utah for a long, long time... we failed to protect you. For that I'm sorry," @derekkitchen says to @ParisHilton and the other witnesses.
Sen. Kitchen says the bill may not go far enough and says he'll support SB127. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Sen. Kitchen says the bill may not go far enough and says he'll support SB127. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"How have there never been criminal charges?" @SenThatcher demands to know.
@UTHumanServices licenses them. Some schools have been shut down (one in St. George).
Slater says they don't condone abuse, but are limited by statute on what they can enforce. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
@UTHumanServices licenses them. Some schools have been shut down (one in St. George).
Slater says they don't condone abuse, but are limited by statute on what they can enforce. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @UTHumanServices says they don't always know something happens.
This bill now requires reporting of every single restraint. Also allows "spot inspections."
(Fun fact: the legislature passes laws that agencies must follow.) @fox13 #utpol #utleg
This bill now requires reporting of every single restraint. Also allows "spot inspections."
(Fun fact: the legislature passes laws that agencies must follow.) @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @SenThatcher suggests some floor amendments to put more teeth in them.
He also wants an "immediacy clause" that means the bill goes into effect when @GovCox signed it. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
He also wants an "immediacy clause" that means the bill goes into effect when @GovCox signed it. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"There's no words, sometimes. So sorry. Clearly the state failed," @SenatorLuz says.
She notes these are minors and parents have to sign documents. Is it a waiver?
"Parents do sign consent for treatment in those facilities," @UTHumanServices says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
She notes these are minors and parents have to sign documents. Is it a waiver?
"Parents do sign consent for treatment in those facilities," @UTHumanServices says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @SenatorLuz says "it's not enough" and calls it "really, really embarrassing."
She gets emotional describing being a mother and hearing of kids being put through "hell."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
She gets emotional describing being a mother and hearing of kids being put through "hell."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
Sen. Cullimore thanks @ParisHilton for shining a light on it.
He says it's a "big first step."
If you're counting, this appears to be cruising for a unanimous vote by the Senate committee. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
He says it's a "big first step."
If you're counting, this appears to be cruising for a unanimous vote by the Senate committee. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Now, public comment. I see 88 people in the meeting (though not all will comment).
The chair of the Utah Occupational Therapy Association would like to see some stipulations on health care practitioners (but signals support for the bill). @fox13 #utpol #utleg
The chair of the Utah Occupational Therapy Association would like to see some stipulations on health care practitioners (but signals support for the bill). @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Nate Crippes of @DLCofUT testifies in favor of the bill.
"Strip searches and body cavity searches on children should be strictly prohibited," he says.
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
"Strip searches and body cavity searches on children should be strictly prohibited," he says.
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
Chelsie, another member of Breaking Code Silence, testifies in support of the bill.
NO ONE testified on behalf of these schools. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
NO ONE testified on behalf of these schools. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
Sen. Kennedy makes a motion to pass the bill out of committee.
@gopTODD says they need to "find the right balance" and "an overreaction would be tempting to do. I'd rather see a balanced bill."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
@gopTODD says they need to "find the right balance" and "an overreaction would be tempting to do. I'd rather see a balanced bill."
@fox13 #utpol #utleg
. @mikemckellutah says a national association representing therapeutic schools is supportive of the bill.
"It's clear to me there's more work that needs to be done," he tells the committee.
Sen. McKell open to floor amendments. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"It's clear to me there's more work that needs to be done," he tells the committee.
Sen. McKell open to floor amendments. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
"These are kids in the state of Utah that are treated in a way they shouldn't be," @mikemckellutah says.
He notes @ParisHilton's number when she entered Provo Canyon School was "127."
His bill? SB127.
"Quite a coincidence," @gopTODD remarks. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
He notes @ParisHilton's number when she entered Provo Canyon School was "127."
His bill? SB127.
"Quite a coincidence," @gopTODD remarks. @fox13 #utpol #utleg
