Cramer: House Passes Child Protection Bill

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed a bill to reduce child abuse through a state-by-state review of penalties for offenders.

The Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act requires the U.S. Attorney General to issue a report detailing the penalties for child abuse in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all United States territories. The report will include whether or not the laws provide enhanced penalties in cases of severe child abuse. A subsequent report will be issued within three years to follow up on the first. The bill also amends federal law to assign enhanced sentences for habitual offenders who commit child abuse in areas where the federal government has increased responsibility, including Indian reservations.

The bill is named for three year-old Kilah Davenport of North Carolina, who suffered serious brain damage as a result of serious physical abuse from her stepfather. He was charged with felony child abuse, however North Carolina law limited the sentence for this offense to eight years in prison. As a result, North Carolina updated its laws. A person who commits the same offense in North Dakota could receive up to 20 years in prison.

"This legislation shows Congress takes the protection of our children seriously and in a bipartisan way. These tragedies are far too common in our country and North Dakota is no exception. If motivating states to examine their child abuse laws can save just one life, it is worth it," said Cramer.

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