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Dougherty says children in religious reformatories are not protected

April 9, 2003
By: Elizabeth Gill
State Capital Bureau

With only a little more than a month left in the legislative session, Senator Pat Dougherty fights to get a children's welfare bill heard. Elizabeth Gill has the story.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Dougherty's bill calls for religious organizations currently license-exempt to show proof of compliance with safety standards.

Dougherty says children in so-called religious reformatories do not have adequate protection.

Dougherty pointed out that nursing home residents and even animals are protected by state laws that require certain safety standards in the facilities that house them:

Actuality:
RunTime: :12
OutCue:
Contents: "All we're saying is that its about time we give some of the children in some of the facilities the same protection we give give our seniors and animals in the care of this state."

Dougherty's bill has stalled in committee.

From the state capitol, I'm Elizabeth Gill.

Senator Pat Dougherty says the state does not protect children the same way it protects animals. Elizabeth Gill has the story:

Dougherty is sponsoring a bill that would require license-exempt religious organizations to comply with state safety standards/

Dougherty says children in so-called religious reformatories don't have protection even animals in facilities have.

But Republican Senator John Loudon says that arguement doesn't hold up:

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: "Nice try, I don't think that metaphor works. There's not an agency. The animals that were born and raised in those facilities don't have an advocate."

Dougherty also referenced nursing homes in his fight to raise awareness for his bill, which is stalled in committee.

Dougherty says the state's children deserve the same safety regulations in place for the seniors.

From the State Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Gill.