See Our Impact
We founded Human Rights for Kids to make a real difference. Whether it’s introducing bills or changing perspectives, our team works each day to ensure a more fair future for children. Take a look at what we’ve accomplished.
Recent Accomplishments
Since our founding we’ve worked in 18 states and the U.S. Congress. Our work has led to the introduction of 55 different child rights bills and the enactment of 9 new laws to protect children from predators and abuses in the justice system. We‘ve helped to draft these bills, testified before legislative committees dozens of times, organized press conferences, and issued reports detailing human rights abuses against children in the criminal justice system which has brought about significant change. Human Rights for Kids has also submitted three Amicus Briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and three in the state high courts in Maryland, Louisiana, and Washington, arguing against extreme sentences under the 8th Amendment and the deprivation of due process and equal protection rights under the 6th and 14th Amendments.
Victory in Virginia
In 2020 HRFK successfully helped pass HB 744 and HB 746 by Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts (D – 39th District), creating new human rights protections for children in the criminal justice system.
The enactment of HB 744 made the Virginia Legislature the first in the nation to grant judges the discretion to depart from any mandatory minimum when sentencing children in adult court and requires judges to consider a child’s exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences(ACEs) prior to sentencing. HB 746 require parents to be notified by law enforcement if their child is arrested and for the child to have contact with them before they can waive their constitutional rights.
Fighting For Kids in Congress
TADA advocated for the introduction of 3 child sentencing reform bills in Congress and is spear-heading a broad bi-partisan coalition effort to ensure these bills become law! These bills include H.R. 1949, H.R. 1950 (Sara’s Law), and H.R. 1951.
Get Involved
At Truth & Anti-Defamation Alliance (TADA), we are dedicated to building a world where justice and respect prevail for everyone, free from all forms of injustice and discrimination. Our efforts to combat discrimination encompass all individuals and communities who face bias. We drive change by raising awareness through education, championing legislative and legal reforms.
