H.R. 2052 would enhance Federal efforts focused on public awareness and education about the risks and dangers associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Detailed Summary
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through various federal agencies, to develop a national Shaken Baby Syndrome public health campaign. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a National Action Plan and effective strategies to increase awareness of opportunities to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome; and (2) coordinate the Plan and strategies with evidence-based strategies and efforts that support families with infants and other young children.
Directs the Secretary to carry out communication, education, and training about Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention, including efforts to communicate with the general public, such as by: (1) disseminating effective prevention practices and techniques to parents and caregivers; (2) producing evidence-based educational and information materials; and (3) carrying out Shaken Baby Syndrome training.
Requires the Secretary to work to ensure that the parents and caregivers of children are connected to effective supports through the coordination of existing programs and networks or the establishment of new programs, including a 24-hour phone hotline and the development of an Internet website for round-the-clock support.
Establishes a Shaken Baby Awareness Advisory Council to develop recommendations: (1) regarding the National Action Plan and effective strategies; and (2) related to support services for families and caregivers of young children.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Melissa Brown
My daughter was shaken and killed on September 14th, 2006 The perp confessed to shaking her twice and stated she did not hit her head on anything and that shaken baby syndrome does truly exist!
Why would anyone be against this bill??? If it is money, that just makes me sick!!!
melissa16_brown@yahoo.com
Theresa Glover
Children are being killed by shaken baby syndrom.
If they live through the brain tremor their life will never be the same and Shaken Baby Syndrom is abuse to the brain....
ashley
I agree. I have heard many people talk about shaken baby and I believe it exist too. Does something have to happen to you child to make you believe? Not me, I have seen the pictures of poor innocent babies that have been shaken it makes me sick to know that soemone could do that.
Bonnie
SBS does exist and no one can tell me anything different. My grandson was heard laughing and making noise while playing in his saucer. Then an hour later an ambulance is called because he wasn't breathing. The perp confessed of shaking my grandson like a rag doll.
Beth Chaffin
We need to get awareness out there to all the people about the causes and effects of shaken baby syndrome. If people are more aware of what can happen to our children when being shaken, then there would be a drastic change in the number of children terribly hurt and killed by such an action as shaking a baby in frustration. It is very important to get knowlege to all the people out there. Because people just don't know what shaking a baby can do, so let's get these people aware. Children are to be loved not hurt. Let's protect our children, and the children of others by getting awareness to all the people.
Danielle
SBS was brought to my attention on a message board I belong to. Someone found an infant onesie available online that absolutely disgusted her. It said "Pssst... They shake me!" I was shocked by how many people said to get over it, it's meant to be funny. SBS is not recognized nearly enough. Obviously that is the case since it is being turned into a joke.
George
The direct costs of shaking and other inflicted head injuries is about $500,000,000 per year (of which it is estimated Medicaid pays 40% and your health insurance pays 40%). A simple prevention program for new parents developed by Dr. Mark Dias at Children's Hospital of Buffalo reduced the incidence of inflicted head injuries by 50% (Pediatrics, April 2005 - showing education and awareness for parents does make a difference): compare the potential savings of $250,000,000 against the requested appropriation of $10,000,000, and money shouldn't be any objection.
Pam
I agree somthing needs to be done about this. NO CHILD should have to go through this horribel crime. People need to know what it realy does and to NEVER SHAKE A BABY.
beaurocracy
yes, lets prevent baby shaking by starting a committee. that will stop all those evil baby shakers.
all hail the committee.
Bob
Although SBS exsists it is far less often than reported here is a link to the facts
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/shakenbabysyndrome.htm#buttram
What HR 2052 WILL DO IS PROMOTE MISINFORMATION AND GIVE EXCUSES TO ARREST PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS FOR NO CRIME.
GeoLith
Bob - thanks for proving the point that just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean it's a fact. Studies show that when you count the number of cases of head trauma in infants, then educate parents about the vulnerability of infants to shaking and other trauma, there is a significant decline in the number of cases of head trauma. That's what HR 2052 will do. And when babies don't suffer inflicted head injuries, there is no reason to arrest anyone.
PS. Now, that is a fact.
Concerned Grandfather
While SBS does happen and the associated physical damage such as, head and neck trauma and spinal cord detachment, bruised and fractured legs, arms, bruised and fractured ribs both front and back as well as death. Could someone explain why "Adverse Vaccination Reactions" are not being included in this bill? I have a Granddaughter who was given numerous vaccinations, at 2 months old, while under the care of a doctor, against the advice of the Center for Disease Control and Manufacturing Company, while recovering from pneumonia, on antibiotics and no-one is taking the doctor to jail. Why not? He knowingly vaccinated a sick child. Parents must sign and accept the consequences for any reaction from the vaccination. Why are parents being held responsible? HR 2052 is really just more spending and job security for those who want to take over child rearing from "real" parents. Wake up before your children are taken to jail for being accused of hurting your grandchild.
cASSIE
Did you ever wonder where the diagnosis of SIDS went, it was changed to SBS, it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Retinal hemorrhages have other causes, subdural hematomas have other causes and vaccines kill. Whoever is with the child at the time of the incident is accused and brought to trial read and visit www.sbsdefense.com Remember this could happen to you Also visit http://vaers.hhs.gov IF the GOV set up this system something must be true about vaccines. Wake up and smell the coffee.
linda
There needs to be a diagnostic protocol if they want to continue falsely accusing people of SBS. This is a highly controversial subject and needs further study as the evidence that SBS exists is slim to none. Just think for a minute-if you were to shake a baby with that much force wouldn't there be evidence of cervical injuries maybe a broken neck? Keep in mind it is not only vaccine reactions but can be confused with other diagnoses as well. If a diagnostic protocol was used-I can guarantee SBS cases would disappear. It is those making these allegations that need education and further study and maybe if they were held accountable for their accusations that are false they select their diagnosis with care!
falsely-accused of SBS
What we need is a hearing with both sides of the SBS debate bringing forth the truth and misconceptions about this diagnosis.
Marcie
I totally agree we need a diagnostic
protocol. The medical profession needs to throughly investigate each
and every case before they start making accusations!! We as a family have been fasely accused of SBS and it is something I never want another family to endure. I will fight this bill until they can
come up with a better way to diagnosis SBS.5
Angel
IT"S A LIE!!!! My husband and I were falsley accused of shaking our three month old son NEVER have we abused any of our children but because my husband could not speak good english he MUST be a lier well ill tell you this BEFORE you go for what THINK is the gold RESEARCH!!!!! DR. JOHN PLUNKETT has been doing research into shaken baby for more than 20 years want the truth talk to those who know THIS IS A MYTH!!!! thought up by a radiologist not a nerosergon His name cafey look it up MANY stuides have been done since the sixties offering MUCH information into sbs this bill SHOULD NOT PASS!!!! talk to me Angel Ofori 573-635-4899 ill give LOTS of information!!!!
Grandfather
It is biomechanically impossible to shake a small child as stated by those supporting SBS, without leaving marks, bruises, severe spinal cord damage or other trauma. It was stated that SBS is equal to an infant falling 2 to 3 stories, or being in an automobile accident and being thrown out of the vehicle. “ALL WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL INJURY OR BRUISING. It’s impossible. Why are our families being falsely accused, and even convicted without proof? We have been working since Dec 2006 to get copies of medical records, subpoena ordered since about May 2007 and still our attorney's do not have the complete records. What are they hiding? DCF uses every comment from anyone "Doctors, Hospital Clergy, Nurses, and Counselors, etc against the family and twist the comments to fit the alleged event. The doctors are more interested in “who” did it not what actually happened. If this program works as well as the Sex Education to prevent Teenage Pregnancies laws we are all in real trouble.
sandy
I agree there has to be some kind of oversight hearings on this issue. Did they only have the Autism hearings because it actually affected some members of Congresses' grandchildren? Will we have to wait until some high profile personality gets falsely-accused?
Natalia
I support this bill and those parent's who have children that are victims of SBS. There is always someone who has to be negative about issues that are so dear to someone's heart. What if your child died unexpectedly and SBS was the cause you would agree with it. But to say SBS is a myth because your upset that you were falsly accused of it on your own child. Of course you are going to find myth in it. Myth that you couldn't possibly do that to your child. Myth that you are innocent. But what if you weren't accused and someone outside of your family shook your child violently while your child was crying for you and their brain was being shook back and forth in their head and they died. Would you find a myth in it? Or would you be wanting people to be aware of it and it's danger's?
Grandfather
Several people must want the government to raise their children and if this bill is made into law then, the government will take your child from you. Yes, children are hurt. Yes, a family member or friend may have done it. But, why are there no bruises or other obvious trauma? Government agencies currently allow private contractors to take children from families without any "real" proof. Vaccinations do cause damage in thousands of children each year and autism is really 1 in 67 especially for boys. Get the facts, and I hope none of you are falsely accused, but it is coming.
Foster Mom
SBS is very real. We had a foster baby go home that we were very concerned about returned to mom and her boyfriend, we wrote our gov., our legislators, all to no avail. 4 months after this little one was returned home, he was murdered by mom's boyfriend. He admitted to the murder, it was SBS followed by blunt force trauma to the head. This needs to be stopped. The trial is on hold because there is no legislation which makes it difficult to even talk about SBS in a trial. Let's see this legislation passed and other children saved.
Grandfather
Dear Foster Mom, Duh; It's called "MURDER" not SBS. Describe SBS, give an exclusive and clinical definition for it just as we have for other dieases. Yes, someone can shake a child and hurt them. Question; why don't children of auto accidents have retinal bleeding? Answer; because intercranial pressures contribute to retinal bleeding not shaking. If you meet someone who can generate 11G's of force shaking a child, I want to meet that person. Get the facts and stop letting emotion ruin you life and the lives of parents.
Kristen
shouldnt ther be other problems to go with SBS? like a neck injurie or something else in that nature? I was falsely accussed of shaking my baby and now she is out of my care and I can NEVER have ner back. luckily, she is a VERY smart 1 year old and is doing good. but why was there no other injuries from being shook so hard? someone please give me answers
TM
No one with any reliable witness has ever found a shaken baby with any damage at all. Confessions or pleas from those up against the proverbial blue wall of misperceptions surrounding SBS are not evidenciary proof of SBS. I could say aliens took your babies in the court room. Does that make it a fact? Of course not! This law is simply an added incentive for the money-maker that SBS has become, the protection to vaccine-injured babies, and a way to produce UNNECESSARY panic in loving parents (as seen above).
Did anyone even look to realize that vaccine-injury symptoms are listed as the exact same as symptoms of shaken baby syndrome? Ever stop to wonder why?
TM cont.
In 1970s Caffey used experiments from a 1940 study with chimps (yes, live ones until they were shaken hard enough). His theory, his idea that he dreamed up involved human beings being able to shake their babies and produce skull fractures, retinal hemorrhages, brain swelling, etc. He did no studies himself. He didn't use a study that was complimentary to his theory. This is junk science at its best, the very definition of it.
Meanwhile, less than 10 years later, a female scientist proved with cadavers, humans could not come near the force necessary to shake a baby and produce those injuries.
TM cont. 2
People are bullied into accepting plea bargains every day. In fact, I'm still waiting for statistics about who actually gets to have a trial in my state anymore; they're all taking pleas. Juries are not given the correct information since they are not researchers or scientists and therefore come up with a guilty verdict because of incompetent lawyers or prejudiced judges.
This hysteria of madness based on junk science and bullied confessions needs to stop. Get the facts and stop the libeling of innocent parents, stop the real murderers of our infants by vaccine-injury and vitamin c deficiency.
Or not. Wait until this happens to someone you love instead, like I did. Wait for the nightmare to become all too real. Stop blaming an innocent loving caregiver if you don't know the first thing about what causes injuries to infants! You are not entitled.