Protecting Children to be Key Focus of House Committee in New Session, Says Watson
HARRISBURG – As the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to plague communities and devastate families across the state, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), who was re-appointed Thursday by the Speaker of the House as chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee, said that the committee will work aggressively this session to ensure that the needs of affected children are addressed.
“Heroin and opioid abuse deaths now surpass car crashes as the leading cause of death for young people, many who have infants or small children,” said Watson. “Many infants are born addicted to opioids and small children are left to fend for themselves in homes without sober parents. Last session included a hearing on the scope of the issue, and our committee is endeavored to conduct more fact-finding missions and introduce appropriate legislation to ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable children.”
The opioid abuse impact is just one of the topics Watson will focus on as chairman. The committee will continue its work to find safe, loving homes for children of all ages by reforming the state’s adoption laws, which are some of the most archaic in the country. Additionally, the committee will also look to improve the foster care system in Pennsylvania and assist grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
This term marks Watson’s third as Children and Youth chairman. Her first term included shepherding more than two dozen laws to protect children from the horrors of sexual or physical abuse. The new laws were part of a comprehensive legislative package, based on recommendations from the Task Force on Child Protection, to make abusers pay the price, improve child abuse reporting and investigations, expand due process protections for those wrongly accused, share information to increase protection and strengthen prevention efforts.
Her second term included examining the impact and potential unintended consequences of those new laws, along with developing ways to update the state’s adoption laws. Eight of those bills passed the House but died in the state Senate.
In addition to adoption and child protection issues, the House Children and Youth Committee addresses issues related to child day care services, infant/child/mother health issues, juvenile delinquency, and adolescent and teen problems.
“As chairman, I am honored to be continuing in this role and working with my colleagues and our child welfare advocates in making our state a safer place for our future generations,” Watson said. “Protecting our children is everyone’s responsibility.”
Representative Kathy Watson
144th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
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jkeaton@pahousegop.com
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