{"id":24927,"date":"2023-04-30T17:31:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T00:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unsilenced.org\/?p=24927"},"modified":"2023-04-30T17:40:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T00:40:08","slug":"unsilenced-ceo-meg-appelgate-fights-for-hb-218-in-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unsilenced.org\/unsilenced-ceo-meg-appelgate-fights-for-hb-218-in-montana\/","title":{"rendered":"Unsilenced CEO Meg Appelgate fights for HB 218 in Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Unsilenced CEO Meg Appelgate fights for HB 218 in Montana<\/h1><\/span>
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In March, Unsilenced CEO Meg Appelgate<\/strong><\/a> traveled to Montana to speak at a hearing for the Montana Senate about HB 218. While there were dissenting opinions about the bill in the hearing, Meg passionately pleaded the case that children\u2019s safety and lives were worth more than perceived red tape.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

HB 218, brought by Rep. Laura Smith of Helena, allows unmonitored phone and video calls between parents\/caregivers and young people in these programs, clearly prohibits sexual and physical abuse, protects youth who report abuse to authorities, and increases inspections to twice a year with at least 50% of children interviewed to ensure that abuse is identified.<\/p>\n

House Bill 218 passed the Senate with majority, bipartisan support on April 18. When signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte, it will provide youth in Private Alternative Adolescent Residential or Outdoor Programs (PAARP) basic protections from abuse.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>