109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6070
To enhance Federal efforts focused on increasing public awareness
of the risks and dangers associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2006
Mrs. KELLY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To enhance Federal efforts focused on increasing public awareness
of the risks and dangers associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) There are unfortunately many incidents that exemplify the abuse that
children suffer across all 50 states--becoming victims of Shaken Baby
Syndrome. One such incident involves 8-month-old Cynthia Gibbs, of Yonkers,
New York, who on November 17, 2000, died of massive brain damage. Cynthia's
abuser and killer was her own State-certified child care provider operating
child care services out of her home. Another involves 11-month-old George
`Skipper' Lithco of Poughkeepsie, New York, who died on December 3, 2000,
from brain injuries he suffered when he was shaken by his day care provider--a
51-year-old grandmother who said she lost control when he spit up on her
and cried during his afternoon feeding.
(2) The most recent National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System figures
reveal that almost 900,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect
in the United States in 2002, causing unspeakable pain and suffering to
our most vulnerable citizens.
(3) Among the children who are victims of abuse and neglect, nearly 4
children die in the United States each day.
(4) Children aged 1 year or younger accounted for 41.2 percent of all
child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2002, and children aged 4 years
or younger accounted for 76.1 percent of all child abuse and neglect fatalities
in 2002.
(5) Abusive head trauma, including the trauma known as `Shaken Baby Syndrome',
is recognized as the leading cause of death of physically abused children.
(6) Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in loss of vision, brain damage, paralysis,
seizures, or death.
(7) A 2003 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated
that, in the United States, an average of 300 children will die each year,
and 600 to 1,200 more will be injured, of whom 2/3 will be babies or infants
under 1 year in age, as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome, with many cases
resulting in severe and permanent disabilities.
(8) Medical professionals believe that thousands of additional cases of
Shaken Baby Syndrome are being misdiagnosed or are not detected.
(9) Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain
damage or death to an infant and may result in more than $1,000,000 in
medical costs to care for a single, disabled child in just the first few
years of life.
(10) The most effective solution for ending Shaken Baby Syndrome is to
prevent the abuse, and it is clear that the minimal costs of education
and prevention programs may prevent enormous medical and disability costs
and immeasurable amounts of grief for many families.
(11) Prevention programs have demonstrated that educating new parents
about the danger of shaking young children and how they can help protect
their child from injury can bring about a significant reduction in the
number of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome. This is further evidenced in
work completed by the Upstate New York SBS Prevention Project, which resulted
in a 47 percent reduction in the number of shaking and subsequent inflicted
head injuries in the Buffalo, New York, region.
(12) Education programs have been shown to raise awareness and provide
critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents,
care givers, daycare workers, child protection employees, law enforcement
personnel, health care professionals, and legal representatives.
(13) Efforts to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome are supported by organizations
across the United States whose mission it is to make aware, educate, and
support the general public and professionals about Shaken Baby Syndrome,
as well as increase support for victims and the families of victims.
SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop
and implement an effective ongoing public information and educational campaign
to inform the public, in general, and new parents, child care providers,
and other care givers of young children, in particular, about brain injuries
and other harmful effects that may result from shaking infants and children
under 5 years of age and healthy strategies to cope with a crying baby and
related frustrations--all to help protect children from injury.
(b) Elements- The program under subsection (a) shall include at least the
following elements:
(1) Educational and informational materials in print, audio, video, electronic
and other media which should be coordinated with national and Federal
awareness activities, such as Shaken Baby Awareness Week, to the extent
possible.
(2) Public service announcements and advertisements.
(3) Dissemination of effective prevention practices and techniques to
parents and care givers, and to maternity hospitals, child care centers,
organizations providing prenatal and postnatal care, and organizations
providing parenting education and support services.
(c) Meetings With Advocacy Community- The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, working with all relevant components, shall establish biannual
meetings with Shaken Baby Syndrome advocacy groups, parenting support communities,
organizations involved in child protection and child maltreatment prevention,
and other Federal and State agencies that are or should be involved in prevention
activities, including the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations.
(d) Support for Parents of Surviving Children- The Secretary of Health and
Human Services, along with its components, the Shaken Baby Syndrome advocacy
community, parenting support communities, organizations involved in child
protection and child maltreatment prevention, as well as professional associations
and institutions involved in medical research and treatment shall work to
provide effective support for the parents of surviving children who suffer
serious brain injuries as the result of shaking, especially during the traumatic
period immediately following the shaking event, when parents most need support.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,000,000
for fiscal year 2007.
END
