85R9365 BPG-D
By: Burkett H.R. No. 293
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In 2015, the Texas Department of Family and
Protective Services received almost 275,000 allegations of child
abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, Over 66,000 Texas children were confirmed to be
victims of abuse and neglect, of whom more than 17,000 were removed
from their homes; tragically, 171 children died of abuse and
neglect in 2015; and
WHEREAS, The short-term and long-term costs of child abuse
and neglect are estimated at $210,012 per victim, paid through
medical treatment, foster care, law enforcement, mental health
care, special education, juvenile delinquency, and lost
productivity; in 2015, the cost to Texans for child maltreatment
was over $14 billion; child maltreatment also carries enormous
continuing societal costs as victims suffer from mental illness,
substance abuse, developmental delays, teen pregnancy, academic
underachievement, criminal behavior, unemployment, and poverty;
and
WHEREAS, Child abuse is a state and community problem, and
successfully protecting children depends on investments in
evidence-based prevention from all sources; all citizens have an
important role to play by supporting and encouraging parents and
other caregivers so that children are raised in a safe, nurturing
environment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2017, as Child Protection
and Home Visiting Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives call upon
all citizens, officials, community agencies, religious
organizations, medical facilities, schools, and businesses to
support efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect.