Panhandle Times

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Nathaniel Moran, along with Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Michael McCaul, and Congresswoman Susan Wild, introduced the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024, a bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing child abuse. The bill, named after Jenna Quinn, a survivor of child abuse from Texas, would allocate current grant funds to train and educate individuals who work with children on sexual abuse prevention.

In a statement, Congressman Moran emphasized the importance of adopting a national strategy to recognize and report child abuse, stating that providing necessary resources to break the cycle of child sexual abuse can save lives. He believes that the Jenna Quinn Law not only extends training initiatives but also increases the likelihood of sexual assaults being reported and ultimately stopped.

Senator Cornyn echoed Congressman Moran's sentiments, emphasizing that all states should have the resources to invest in programs that prevent child sexual abuse. He believes that the bill, inspired by Jenna Quinn, will help increase reporting of child sexual abuse by expanding training programs for students, teachers, and caregivers.

Congresswoman Wild expressed her commitment to ensuring the safety of children, stating that the bipartisan legislation will make commonsense investments in children's health and safety. She believes that empowering those around children to identify and report child sexual abuse is crucial in preventing tragic consequences.

Congressman McCaul called child sexual abuse one of the highest forms of evil and urged his colleagues to prioritize ending it. He highlighted the success of the Jenna Quinn Law in Texas and expressed his bafflement at the delay in implementing a similar strategy nationwide. He urged his colleagues to pass the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 immediately.

The Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 aims to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to allow federal grants to be used for training on sexual abuse prevention education and reporting. The bill also ensures that grant recipients coordinate with local educational agencies to train students, professionals, and volunteers who work with children on recognizing and reporting sexual abuse.

The bill has garnered support from various organizations, including the National Children's Alliance, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, RAINN, and Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, among many others.

The introduction of the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024 marks an important step in preventing child abuse and protecting the well-being of children across the nation. With bipartisan support and the backing of numerous organizations, this legislation has the potential to make a significant impact in ensuring the safety and security of children.