Investigations into violence and cover ups at the Glen Mills Schools inspired a Delaware County legislator to introduce legislation that would allow juveniles abused at residential facilities to sue, writes Lisa Gartner for  The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Justice for Juveniles Act was introduced by U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, whose district includes the Glen Mills Schools, which state officials closed in April.

It would knock down barriers that keep young abuse victims from filing lawsuits while they’re still detained in these facilities.

“It really caught my attention, and I reached out to folks [and] I said, what can we do here?” said U.S. Rep. Mary Scanlon.  “It started a broader discussion about what we can do to help kids caught in our juvenile system, because they are often subject to abuse and less likely to have the resources to deal with it.”

Now, young offenders have to file a grievance with the program where they are being abused before they can file a lawsuit. They also cannot file over emotional abuse unless they are claiming physical injuries as well.

The proposed legislation would apply to all correctional facilities that house juveniles.

Read more about this proposed legislation here.

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