House passes protection act for children
The House wrangled for hours Thursday before passing the “Child Protection Act and Child Rape Protection Act,” which would enact stricter, mandatory reporting by people charged with overseeing children any abuse of a minor.
The heated debate and vote was also the first test of new Republican Speaker Philip Gunn’s control over the 122-member House, on a bill he authored. He managed to fend off efforts by the Democratic leadership to alter the bill, with 10-12 of the House’s 57 Democrats voting with Republicans to thwart amendments.
“A lot of people talk about protecting children, but here today, in this chamber, we have the opportunity to do something about it,” said Judiciary Committee Chairman J. Andrew Gipson, R-Braxton.
Sun Herald
2/2/12
Magnolia Tribune
