CHARLESTON, WV – Celebrity and activist Paris Hilton is urging West Virginia lawmakers to strengthen protections for children in residential treatment programs. She has voiced her support for Senate Bill 817, which aims to prevent abuse in these institutions.
Hilton, who has been outspoken about her own experiences of mistreatment in a similar facility as a teenager, addressed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in a letter this week.
“I write to you not only as a public figure but as a survivor and an advocate for the thousands of young people who continue to endure abuse in the shadows of unregulated residential treatment facilities,” Hilton stated.
Senate Bill 817, introduced by Sen. Laura Chapman, seeks to require proper licensing and oversight of treatment facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. Currently, such institutions in West Virginia operate without state licensing.
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“We are working to put an end to institutional abuse,” said Sen. Chapman. “Many of our children struggle with substance use and other challenges, and if they are placed in these programs, they deserve to be protected and properly cared for—not subjected to further harm.”
Chapman was inspired to champion this legislation after learning about Hilton’s story.
“She has spoken openly about her experiences, even writing a book detailing the horrors she endured,” Chapman said. “Paris Hilton may be a wealthy heiress, but she was still mistreated. That shows this issue can impact anyone.”
The proposed legislation includes several key protections. If passed, SB 817 would:
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Require residential treatment facilities to obtain state licenses
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Mandate stronger regulations to prevent abuse
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Allow parents to withdraw their children from programs when necessary
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Ensure children have unsupervised, confidential phone calls with their parents each week
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Provide access to a child abuse hotline for children in these programs
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Prohibit physical punishment and threats of physical harm
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Guarantee children in treatment programs receive their fundamental right to an education
Sen. Chapman pointed to past cases of institutional abuse in the state, specifically referencing Miracle Meadows, a now-closed boarding school in Harrison County. The school, which was shut down in 2014, was the subject of multiple allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. A lawsuit related to the case was settled in 2023 for $100 million.
“It’s shocking that facilities like these have been allowed to operate without proper oversight,” Chapman said. “We’ve seen the damage that can be done when there’s no accountability. It’s time to make sure children in these programs are safe.”
Hilton, who has worked on national legislation like the “Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act,” believes West Virginia must take action to protect its youth.
For SB 817 to become law, it must first pass the House and receive approval from Gov. Patrick Morrisey. The bill specifically focuses on mental and behavioral health residential programs and does not apply to recreational facilities.
Chapman and Hilton both stress that this legislation is critical to ensuring that children receive care, not cruelty, in these institutions .