Paris Hilton supports NH Senate bill to placements near child’s home
CONCORD — Businesswoman and socialite Paris Hilton encouraged New Hampshire lawmakers Thursday to vote in favor of a Senate bill that would revise the criteria for out-of-home placement of children under the Child Protection Act to keep them closer to their siblings and their community of origin.
Senate Bill 417 “is more than a law;” Hilton posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “it's a promise to protect New Hampshire youth and keep them close to home - not in far off troubled teen facilities. Please keep them safe.”
The state Senate Judiciary Committee recommended the bill, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Whitley, D-Hopkinton, to pass 5-0, on March 14. On Thursday, it passed the full Senate on the consent calendar, which means it was approved without debate.
Hilton has become an advocate for institutionalized youth and against child abuse in recent years, opening up about her own experience in youth treatment facilities.
“It takes all my courage to talk about it, but I couldn't stand knowing that children as young as 8 years old are being sent to these ‘troubled teen' programs by parents who don't know and government agencies that don't care,” she wrote in a 2022 opinion column for USA TODAY. She said she was taken from her home in the middle of the night at age 16 and placed in residential treatment facilities, where she experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
The bill is co-sponsored by all the Senate Democrats and Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry. At the committee hearing, 58 individuals testified in support of it and four testified against it.
The bill also had the support of the state's Office of the Child Advocate, with its representatives testifying it is best for children when they are served in their communities and that keeping families intact is an important priority. Last year, the office had filed a report detailing “a significant lack of ethical treatment” at a Tennessee facility where two boys from New Hampshire had been placed.
“This bill is in response to recent mistreatment of youth in out-of-state facilities, and seeks to allow for easier connection between children and their families, friends and communities,” Whitley wrote in a statement supporting her legislation.
In response to news of the bill passing, Hilton again voiced her support.
“So proud to support this important legislation,” Hilton posted on X, where she has more than 16 million followers. “Loved working with @BeckyWhitleyNH on #SB417 to #StopInstitutionalChildAbuse.”
Next, the bill heads to the Senate Finance Committee before going back to the Senate. After that, it will move to the House.