Governor Newsom signs legislation championed by Paris Hilton to increase transparency in youth residential treatment facilities

News

Sep 27, 2024

What you need to know:Governor Newsom today signed legislation to protect children and youth against the improper use of restraints and isolation in residential treatment facilities and provide additional transparency and oversight of these incidents by increasing reporting requirements and publicly posting the information.

Sacramento - Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation today to protect youth against the inappropriate use of restraints and isolation in residential treatment facilities. The bill will also increase public transparency and state oversight around these incidents by requiring facilities to report incidences and posting information online. SB 1043, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and sponsored by Paris Hilton, will require the California Department of Social Services to publish data on its website about every incident in which seclusion or restraint is used and notify the parent, foster parent, guardian or tribal representative of a child. Hilton has been a passionate advocate for child safety and has shared personal stories of her traumatic experience in a residential treatment facility of this type in another state.

"Children and teens - especially those in the care of the foster system - should never be subjected to improper use of restraints or isolation while they are meant to be receiving treatment. I am proud to sign legislation today to help protect our youth against such harmful tactics, and I'm grateful to Paris Hilton for using her voice to ensure that no child suffers like she did."

Governor Gavin Newsom

"As a survivor of the 'Troubled Teen Industry,' I am deeply thankful to Governor Newsom for signing the Accountability in Children's Treatment Act. With his support, California is taking a major step toward protecting vulnerable youth by making these facilities more transparent. This law will bring much-needed oversight, and I'm proud to have partnered with Senator Shannon Grove and the legislature to help make this change a reality."

Paris Hilton

Senator Shannon Grove: "I am honored that Governor Newsom has recognized the importance of signing The Accountability in Children's Treatment Act into law. Through SB 1043, we are strengthening accountability measures within California's STRTPs by requiring the public posting of critical information, including the use of restraints and seclusion rooms. This legislation underscores California's commitment to transparency and safeguarding the well-being of our at-risk children. It has been a privilege to work alongside one of the most incredible advocates, Paris Hilton, to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children in California."

Bigger picture

In 2021, Governor Newsom signed legislation to ban the practice of sending foster youth and teens charged with crimes to faraway residential treatment programs in other states, and committed $100 million over five years to create new programs closer to home for these vulnerable children and teenagers. In the years since, California has created Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs. With Governor Newsom's signature today, these facilities will have increased state monitoring and reporting requirements to further protect vulnerable youth.

News SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Shelly Guyer, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Guyer was Chief Sustainability Officer at Invitae Corporation from 2021 to 2022 and Chief...

News What you need to know: Governor Newsom today applauded the Biden-Harris Administration's executive order to address gun violence, and calls on Congress to do more - including by passing a national assault weapons ban. SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom issued a...

News SACRAMENTO - Joined by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills to address the legacy of racial discrimination in the state and advance a host of issues important to Black Californians. As requested...