Expedited Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect to State Child Protective Services

Floor Speech

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Ms. STEFANIK.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3894, Talia's law, which would require military and Department of Defense civilian personnel working on a military installation to report instances of child abuse and neglect to State Child Protective Services in addition to their designated Department of Defense point of contact.

Our Nation is extremely proud of our military servicemembers and the sacrifices they endure to protect our national security. Members of our military's Active Duty Reserve component and the National Guard knit the blanket of freedom to keep us safe from those who wish to do us harm.

Standing beside our Nation's brave servicemembers are the spouses and children who bear constant challenges and maintain resiliency throughout the continuous moves and the strain deployments incur on families.

There are approximately 2 million children with one or both parents who serve in the U.S. military, and the support role these children fulfill is beyond significant and should be commended. Our Nation's military dependents face greater academic challenges and emotional stress due to relocation and attending multiple schools.

It is difficult enough growing up and enduring adolescence without having to move every couple of years, face new surroundings, make new friends, and all the while having a mother or father serving our Nation in harm's way.

Military children must rely on their loved ones, family, friends, and their parents to get through the struggles that only a military household can understand.

However, it is when those individuals, those adults who these children trust the most, hurt them in any way. It is inexcusable. Our children are truly our Nation's future, and anyone who abuses or neglects a child is appalling and must be held accountable.

That is why I stand here today in support of H.R. 3894, an imperative piece of legislation which would require a childcare provider located on a DOD installation to report any signs of child abuse or neglect directly to Child Protective Services and the provider's chain of command.

Not only does this bill enforce the reporting procedure, but it also requires those individuals who work with children on an installation receive the necessary training to recognize child abuse as well as fully understand the reporting requirements.

I applaud my Committee on Armed Services colleague and friend, Ms. Gabbard, for her leadership on this issue and encourage the rest of my House colleagues to support this important bill.

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