Paris Hilton returns to Utah for ceremonial bill signing

(Left to right) Rep. Brammer, Gov. Cox, Lt. Gov. Henderson, Sen. Mike McKell, and Paris Hilton. Photo: Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson (facebook)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. (AP) — Paris Hilton returned to Salt Lake City Tuesday for a ceremonial bill signing for a law that regulates treatment centers for troubled teens in Utah.

The legislation for facilities that treat teens with behavioral and mental health issues gained final approval in the Legislature in early March, about a month after Hilton gave emotional testimony in support of the bill. Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill last month but held a ceremonial signing with Hilton on Tuesday. Lt. Governor Dierdre Henderson just announced the signing on her facebook page, “Licensed youth facilities provide critical services and resources to families, but we must always ensure the safety of participants and hold bad actors accountable.”

The new law will require more government oversight of youth residential treatment centers and documentation for when they use restraints. It will also prohibit treatment centers from using sedation or mechanical restraints without prior authorization.

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 fall.

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.

The Real Story of Paris Hilton | This is Paris Official Documentary: