California governor signs youth treatment facility transparency bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Media personality and hotel heiress Paris Hilton just scored a legislative win in California.

Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday signed Senate Bill 1043, which is focused on facilities that use short-term residential therapeutic programs. The programs often use isolation and behavioral restraints on children and young adults to achieve the desired results.

Under the bill, the state Department of Social Services must now publish information on its website about the use of isolation and seclusion that’s specific to each program. Additionally, it must give the child’s parent or guardian certain information when those measures are used, as well as review all incidents involving isolation and seclusion and investigate any use that poses a possible health and safety concern or licensing violation.

Hilton, who’s called herself a survivor of such programs, championed the bill written by state Senator Shannon Grove, a Bakersfield Republican.

“I am grateful to Governor Newsom for signing the Accountability in Children’s Treatment Act into law!” Hilton said in a statement to Courthouse News. “As a survivor, it means so much to me to turn my pain into purpose and help protect the next generation of youth who are entering youth residential treatment facilities.”

Paris testified about the bill in committee as it wove through the Legislature, drawing attention to the legislation. The bill never appeared in doubt of passage, as it never garnered a “no” vote.

Grove in a statement said the bill will heighten accountability within the treatment programs. She called it a commitment to transparency and the protection of California’s at-risk youth.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside one of the most incredible advocates, Paris Hilton, to make a position impact on the lives of vulnerable children in California,” Grove added.

Newsom in a statement noted that Grove’s bill adds more oversight to the treatment programs.

The governor in 2021 signed a bill that prohibited sending foster youth and teens facing criminal charges to residential treatment programs in other states. It also provided $100 million over five years for new programs in state, which led to short-term residential therapeutic programs — the programs that now face more oversight because of Grove’s bill.

The bill becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Newsom on Thursday signed another of Grove’s bills — Senate Bill 1414, which increases penalties for people convicted of solicitation of a minor.

The penalty will increase from a misdemeanor to a felony, if the victim is younger than 16, or if the victim is 17 or 18 years old and a victim of human trafficking. Additionally, someone who’s convicted twice of solicitation of a minor must register as a sex offender, if they’re more than 10 years older than the victim when the crime occurred.

“Criminals have been far ahead of us when it comes to child sex trafficking,” Grove said. “We must have a strong approach to eradicate this brutal crime and ensure no child is reduced to a commodity.”

The bill faced difficulties as it moved through the Legislature this year. Grove initially intended for the heightened penalties to apply when the victim was younger than 18. However, it was amended to include the caveats for 17- and 18-year-old victims.

“This is a crucial step, yet there is still work to be done,” Grove said. “My pledge to champion protections for all children in California remains unwavering.”

The bill was sponsored by 3Strands Global Foundation and Love Never Fails — organizations Grove said fight to stop human trafficking and offer help to those who survive it.

“SB 1414 represents real progress in protecting our children and ensuring that those who seek to exploit them face the full force of the law, and passing this legislation is a victory for prevention and a beacon of hope for countless children across California,” said Ashlie Bryant, CEO of 3Strands Global Foundation, in a statement.

The bill becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025.