Expedited Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect to State Child Protective Services

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKAI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in favor of a bill my friend and colleague Tulsi Gabbard and I have introduced.

H.R. 3894, Talia's Law, gets its name from a 5-year-old girl named Talia Williams who was beaten to death at the hands of her father, an Army soldier stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

We in Hawaii and all across the country are so thankful for the sacrifices our servicemen and servicewomen make to protect our freedoms, but we also have a duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, our children. In Hawaii, we call them our keiki.

As a father myself, I am proud to stand up for Talia's Law, which would require prompt reporting of possible abuses not only to a military supervisor, but also prompt reporting of possible abuse and neglect to the State's Child Protective Services. It would strengthen reporting requirements for these allegations and make sure that they are properly investigated.

I hope that, as we deliberate this bill, we also draw attention to the fact that Congress can come together and should come together to provide better access to resources for those in uniform suffering from wounds that may not be visible to the eyes.

I ask for the consideration of this bill and its urgent passage. These children, our keiki, and all the victims of abuse and neglect cannot wait.

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