A bill to amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect to prevent practices in certain health care facilities which permit handicapped infants to die through deliberate neglect, to establish judicial remedies to prevent such practices, and for other purposes.
Handicapped Infants Protection Act of 1982 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect to conduct a study of child abuse or neglect in federally assisted or operated health care facilities.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) report the results of this study to the Congress within three months; and (2) give priority to information about adoption and foster care of handicapped infants.
Prohibits doctors or other health care facility personnel from withholding nutrition or medical treatment from a handicapped infant.
Provides a private right of action for violations of this Act. States that any punitive damage awards shall be used for the benefit of the infant involved in the suit, or if deceased, for research and treatment of handicapped infants.
Directs the Center to establish and disseminate procedures for reporting violations. Provides civil and criminal immunity and job protection for persons reporting such violations.
Requires health care facilities to provide parents or guardians of handicapped infants with information about agency assistance for these infants.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Referred to Subcommittee on Select Education.
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