Yes on I-999!

There is an epidemic striking American families.  This epidemic is the teen "help" behavior modification industry.  According to Rep. George Miller (D-CA) of the Congressional Education and Workforce Committee:

 “There is a laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for services not rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”  To read the correspondence between Rep. Miller and former Attorney General Ashcroft, click here.

The Worldwide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) is not a lone culprit in the fraud and abuse of children and families.  The behavior modification industry is grossly unlicensed and unregulated.  This is why, at the Federal level, Rep. Miller and the Congressional Education and Workforce Committee have introduced HR 1738, the End Institutionalized Abuse of Children Act.  The problem with HR 1738 is that the proverbial teeth have been taken out of the bill and now it will simply require that behavior modification programs be licensed by the state(s) they are in. 

There are currently gross human rights violations at licensed programs, such as Provo Canyon School in Provo, UT. Provo Canyon School has been getting away with fraud and torture for over 20 years.  The Utah Dept. of Licensing has refused the pleas of victims and allowed Provo Canyon School to remain in business even though they have been found repeatedly guilty of cruel and inhumane treatment of children.  See: www.heal-online.org/sign.htm and www.heal-online.org/ashley.htm for more information on Provo Canyon School.

For more information on the rampant fraud and abuse of the teen "help" behavior modification industry, see: www.heal-online.org/teen.htm and www.isaccorp.org. 

Which brings us to why Initiative Measure 999 is so important.  It will put in place additional safeguards to protect children and families from fraud and abuse. 

Ballot Title
Initiative Measure No. 999 concerns legal rights of minors.

This measure would require a minor’s consent for certain types of treatment, modify minors’ rights to make certain decisions concerning themselves, and modify the laws on domestic violence and the emancipation of minors. Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Ballot Measure Summary
This measure would prohibit the transportation of minors age thirteen or older outside the state for behavior modification purposes without the consent of the minor or a court order. Minors age sixteen or older would be legally responsible for fifty percent of each decision with regard to their own bodies or their children. Domestic violence petitions could be filed based on physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse. Courts could expedite petitions for emancipation of minors.

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