Miller Calls for Hearings in the Wake of Heinous Abuse Claims at Penn State and the Citadel
WASHINGTON – Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, today asked Chairman John Kline (R-MN) to call a hearing to examine whether federal laws specifically designed to protect children and students require changes.
“Potential weaknesses in specific laws designed to keep children safe have come to light in the wake of the alleged sexual crimes committed on the campuses of the Pennsylvania State University and the Citadel,” wrote Miller. “Our inquiry should not seek to parallel, replicate, or interfere with those efforts; rather, we must examine the ongoing operation of the underlying federal laws to identify any vulnerabilities and better ensure against future risks to children.”
Miller cited two federal laws that are intended to protect children from abuse and require the reporting of criminal activity when such cases are discovered. The Clery Act requires higher educational institutions to collect and report on crimes that occur on campus. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act requires states to develop mandatory laws on reporting child abuse.
“We have a responsibility to our children and our communities to maintain vigorous oversight of child safety issues,” Miller wrote. “Any specific remedies we identify through such collective oversight should be immediately taken up by this House.”
To read the letter to Chairman Kline, click here.
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