Bill to take on child abuse moves forward in MN House
Minnesota bill cracking down on child abuse
Minnesota Representative Jim Nash proposed a bill to increase the amount and specificity of training for mandated reporters to recognize signs of maltreatment in children. Nash says he’s driven by the 17 years of abuse he suffered as a kid, and he became emotional seeing his daughter in the room as he pushed his bill forward.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minnesota legislator’s personal experience with child abuse could lead to a new law trying to crack down.
Child abuse prevention bill in MN
What we know:
The bill by Representative Jim Nash (R-Waconia) would increase the amount and specificity of training for mandated reporters to recognize signs of maltreatment.
Nash says he’s driven by the 17 years of abuse he suffered as a child, and he became emotional seeing his daughter in the room as he pushed his bill forward.
What they're saying:
"I knew this was a mistake, but today in committee, we have one of our high school pages that happens to be my daughter Emily. Because I was able to break the cycle, which is what we're trying to do, my daughter Emily has grown up in an abuse-free home," said Nash. "That's what we're trying to do, members. We are trying to make sure that children can grow up never experiencing what I experienced."
What's next:
The bill got committee approval today, so its next step is a vote of the full House.