AAP Statement on Senate CAPTA Reauthorization Act

By: Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

"The American Academy of Pediatrics is proud to endorse the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2021. This bipartisan legislation would significantly support efforts to keep families together and prevent child abuse and neglect and includes several of the Academy's long-standing priorities to bolster the child welfare system.

"Policies included in the CAPTA Reauthorization Act are grounded in the importance of prevention. Pediatricians know well that children fare best when they can grow up in a nurturing family environment and recognize the importance of keeping families together when possible. This legislation is designed to help strengthen families and ensure they can receive the support, treatment and care they need. Specifically, it includes needed reforms to prevent child maltreatment, improve coordination between health care providers and child protective services and mandated reporting policies and practices.

"This bill also addresses racial disparities and the disproportionate involvement of Black and brown communities in the child welfare system. Additionally, the legislation amplifies the expertise of individuals who have personally experienced the child welfare system to ensure these needed reforms truly support secure families and help all children and families to thrive.

"The AAP applauds Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) for their leadership and commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect and we urge the HELP Committee and the full Senate to swiftly pass this legislation."  

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.