07 April 2021

Paris Hilton takes part in ceremonial bill signing in Utah

07 April 2021

Paris Hilton has taken part in a ceremonial bill signing for a law that regulates treatment centres for troubled teenagers in Utah.

The legislation for facilities that treat youngsters with behavioural and mental health issues gained final approval in the Legislature in early March.

It came about a month after Hilton gave emotional testimony in support of the planned legislation.

Governor Spencer Cox signed the bill last month but held a ceremonial signing with Hilton on Tuesday.

Paris Hilton, who has spoken out about the abuses she said she experienced at Provo Canyon School, was an advocate for the new law

The new law will require more government oversight of youth residential treatment centres and documentation for when they use restraints.

It will also prohibit treatment centres from using sedation or mechanical restraints without prior authorisation.

Hilton testified she was abused mentally and physically at a Utah boarding school, where she said staff members would beat her, force her to take unknown pills, watch her shower and send her to solitary confinement without clothes as punishment.

The socialite and reality TV star also spoke about the abuse in a documentary titled This is Paris that was released this autumn.

Since the documentary was released, other celebrities have spoken out about their experiences at the school or others like it, including Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson and tattoo artist Kat Von D.

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