State Rep. Cam Cavitt today was honored to have Paris Hilton and other survivors testify in support of his bill that would reform how children are transported to treatment programs. Earlier today, Hilton testified in front of the Families and Veterans committee on House Bill 5514 and emphasized the need to protect children from these abusive and traumatizing treatment practices.

“No child should be restrained or taken from their home in the middle of the night in the name of treatment,” said Hilton. “I’m proud to use my lived experience to help protect kids from this kind of trauma and grateful to Representative Cavitt for partnering on this important legislation.”

The bill, introduced by Cavitt, would protect children who are transported to residential childcare programs by private youth transportation companies. It would prohibit these companies from using blindfolds, hoods, handcuffs, chains, or other restraints on children during transport. The bill would also prevent youth transportation companies from picking up children during overnight hours, between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

“I am glad to have someone like Paris Hilton share her experience and come out in support of this effort,” said Cavitt (R-Cheboygan). “She has experienced firsthand the abuse that comes with these methods. How is simulating a kidnapping going to help a child who is at risk? These tactics are clearly hurting kids, and our efforts to step in should not be controversial. We need to put a stop to this.”