Child-focused lawmakers join forces to demand action
Child-focused lawmakers introduced a bill today to create an independent commission that would identify, research, and make recommendations on policy and legislation of unique importance to the nation’s children.
The Child Safety and Well-Being Act, led by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), would establish an independent Children’s Commission to study, monitor, and make recommendations to the president and Congress on political and policy issues impacting the health, education, safety, and well-being of children at home and around the globe. More than 40 countries around the world and nearly half of all U.S. states have similar commissions and ombudsmen that act as watchdogs for children’s affairs.
“Our children lack political power and are often invisible in policy debates,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children, which advocated to create the legislation. “Establishing a children’s commission, as this bill does, will finally give children a voice in the laws and policies that affect them, and will ensure that lawmakers prioritize their needs and protect them from harm. This bill lays the groundwork for a better world by investing in the leaders, innovators, and citizens of tomorrow. The benefits of this investment will be felt across all sectors of society, from improved public health outcomes to increased economic prosperity.”
The bill’s co-leaders include Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), co-chair of the Congressional Baby Caucus, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), leader of the Congressional Dads Caucus, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), vice-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.
The legislation proposes creating a 15-member Children’s Commission, which will appoint an independent Children’s Commissioner. The Commission will advise Congress, agencies, and states on the impact of policies on child well-being, publish reports on the interests of children and marginalized youth, examine issues that affect children domestically and abroad, and collaborate with children’s commissioners in the states and in other countries. The Commission will also have the authority to hold hearings, collect and access data from federal agencies, submit recommendations to Congress, and ensure all reports are made publicly available and accessible to children and families.
The Commission will also play an instrumental role in shielding children from institutional neglect, abuse and exploitation like the abuse carried out by USA Gymnastics, the Boy Scouts, and the scandals and cover ups that have occurred across various religious organizations.