‘Legislation is hot.’ Inside Paris Hilton’s quest to reform the troubled-teen industry

The former reality star just logged a major legislative victory in her push to protect kids in residential behavior programs. It didn’t happen overnight.

In a dark auditorium at the Arizona Biltmore Luxury Resort in Phoenix, Paris Hilton is holding a microphone bedazzled with rhinestones and speaking to a spellbound audience at a behavioral health conference. She wears a white lace dress and her face is cast half in light and half in shadow. In a low, steady voice she describes the abuse she faced at four different residential programs for troubled teens. Every seat is filled, and people are standing packed three deep against the walls, yet everyone is still. Next to me, a man sobs.