[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE KEEPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SAFE ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the ``Keeping Children 
and Families Safe Act of 2003'' to reauthorize the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the Adoption Opportunities 
program, the Abandoned Infants Act, and the Family Violence Prevention 
and Services Act (FVPSA).
  Unfortunately, last Congress the House and Senate were unable to 
reach agreement on all issues pertaining to the reauthorization of 
CAPTA and its related programs and acts. The bill I am introducing 
today once again puts forth our bipartisan effort and ongoing 
commitment to ensuring that programs aimed at the prevention of child 
abuse and neglect continue.
  The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 supports the 
continued provision of important federal resources for identifying and 
addressing the issues of child abuse and neglect, and supports 
effective methods of prevention and treatment. It also continues local 
projects with demonstrated value in eliminating barriers to permanent 
adoption and in addressing the circumstances that often lead to infant 
abandonment.
  This bill emphasizes the prevention of child abuse and neglect before 
it occurs. It retains language promoting partnerships between child 
protective services and private and community-based organizations to 
ensure that services are more effectively provided, and retains 
important language supporting public education on child abuse and 
neglect by strengthening the public's understanding of the role of the 
child protection system and appropriate methods for public reporting of 
suspected incidents of child maltreatment.
  This bill also continues to foster cooperation between parents and 
child protective services workers by requiring case workers to inform 
parents of the allegations made against them, and improves the training 
opportunities and requirements for child protective services personnel 
regarding the extent and limits of their legal authority and the legal 
rights of parents and guardians.
  Lastly, this bill ensures the safety of foster and adoptive children 
by requiring states to conduct criminal background checks for 
prospective foster and adoptive parents and other adult relatives and 
non-relatives residing in the household.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to back 
this important bipartisan legislation that supports improved services 
for children and families in the prevention and treatment of child 
abuse, neglect and family violence.

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