A bill (S. 2272) to strengthen child abuse and neglect courts received voice vote approval in the House on October 3, clearing the measure for the President’s signature. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on September 26.
S. 2272, sponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), would authorize $10 million in FY2001 through FY2005 for grants to state and local abuse and neglect courts to automate data collection. Another $10 million would be authorized in FY2001 through FY2005 for grants to reduce the backlog of pending cases and to promote permanency for children entering the system. Specifically, funds would be used for cases in which parental rights have been terminated, but the adoption has not been finalized, and for cases involving the termination of parental rights.
Additionally, the bill would authorize $5 million in FY2001 through FY2005 to expand the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in underserved areas.
Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) highlighted the need for the bill, saying, “There is nothing more tragic than the thought of a child who has been abused or neglected, and nothing happier than a child finding the warmth and love of a permanent adoptive family. Unfortunately, the period of time between these two points during which a child’s case is pending before the courts can be a period of interminable delays, bureaucratic snags, and a less-than-thorough accurate review of the child’s case, all of which can have a lasting negative effect on the child.”
Also expressing support for the bill, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) said, “This bill will have the short-term effect of reducing backlogs, but will have the long-term effect of improving the lives of many children.”
