Bipartisan Legislation Creates Commission on Child Fatalities

Bipartisan, bi-cameral legislation, the Protect Our Kids Act (H.R. 3653 and S.1984), creates a commission to examine child fatalities and issue recommendations. The commission would consist of 15 presidential appointees who must represent a total of 17 diverse backgrounds, including social work with field experience; trauma and crisis intervention; and, emergency medicine. The multidisciplinary team would also include expertise in computer science, law and education.

Child fatalities have come under closer scrutiny since a Government Accountability (GAO) Report and subsequent hearings showed that experts believe fatalities are undercounted. The recent Penn State abuse scandal also forced a closer look at mandatory reporting and safety protocols. And a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics showed an increase of abusive head trauma in child emergency room visits.

In his statement, co-sponsor of the bill Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said:

Currently the United States does not have a comprehensive strategy for addressing child abuse fatalities. We also lack a national standard for reporting these fatalities, leaving many of these deaths to be largely underreported.

The commission would be mandated to examine and report on 22 specific matters, such as the role of parental substance abuse; proper distribution and training of personnel to identify and prevent fatalities; and, effectiveness of practices and programs, including public education campaigns.

In the course of their work, the commission would have the power to take testimony and hold hearings. Within three years, they must produce a report to the President and Congress with detailed findings and recommendations. The Act authorizes $2 million to be appropriated per each of three years.