Rep. Wild Introduces Bipartisan Jenna Quinn Law to Prevent, Recognize, and Report Child Abuse

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA) joined with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) to introduce the Jenna Quinn Law, critical legislation to allow current grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse. The bill, named for child abuse survivor Jenna Quinn, is a companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

"In Pennsylvania -- and across the country -- we've seen what happens when abuse goes unrecognized or unreported," Wild said. "I'm proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to take an important step in protecting the dignity of young children from abuse and neglect and alerting the proper authorities before it's too late."

"Sadly, studies have shown child sexual abuse could have gone unreported due to pandemic-related factors, leaving children at heightened risk," McCaul said. "Texans have already witnessed first-hand the powerful impacts of educating our caregivers and teachers on the signs of child sexual abuse and how to report and prevent it. By reintroducing this critical piece of legislation, we can tackle child abuse nationally and protect our children."

Jenna Quinn has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and was the driving force behind what is now known as Jenna's Law in Texas. Unanimously passed by the Texas State Senate and House, Jenna's Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the U.S. that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff and was amended in 2017 to include sex trafficking prevention education in schools. More than half of all states, including Pennsylvania, have adopted a form of Jenna's Law.

After Jenna's Law passed in Texas in 2009, a study found educators reported child sexual abuse at a rate almost four times greater after training than during their pre-training career.

The Jenna Quinn Law would:

Authorize federal grants to eligible entities for increasing evidence-based or informed training on sexual abuse prevention education and reporting to teachers and school employees, students, caregivers, and other adults who work with children.
Ensure these grant recipients coordinate with local educational agencies to train students, professionals and volunteers who work with students on sexual abuse prevention, recognition and reporting.

Wild and McCaul's legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Conor Lamb (PA-17).

Source