LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

BY KATE WEAVER (OAKLAND COUNTY)

The legislature has returned from summer.  The following has been introduced into this new legislative session:

DOMESTIC RELATIONS

HB 4516 AMEND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT

KATE WEAVER

The bill would amend the domestic violence prevention and treatment Act to allow Federally recognized Indian tribes that have trust land located in the State to receive assistance and funds for the establishment or maintenance of a shelter program for victims of domestic violence and their dependent children.

          Status: This bill passed the House vote and was referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.

SB 83-86 EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER ACT
Collectively, the bills would enact the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act and amend provisions of other acts to implement the Act. The Act would allow specified individuals to file an action requesting that a circuit court enter an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) for an individual. 

          Status: Signed by the Governor on May 22, 2023, and given immediate effect.  
​
​
HB 4293 AMEND 1921 PA 352
This bill will amend 1921 PA 352 to Establishing 18 as the minimum age for marriage without exceptions.

          Status: This bill passed the House vote and was referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.

NEGLECT / JUVENILE

SB 418, 419, 421-423
Collectively, the bills would expand the uses of juvenile justice services funding to align with recommendations made by the Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. They would require the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Child Care Fund (CCF) to reimburse counties at a rate of 75% of annual expenditures for in-home expenses related to juvenile justice, such as community-based supervision and services. They also would require a county to use funds received to adopt risk and mental health screening tools for use in diversion and consent calendar decisions and for use prior to disposition or detention of a juvenile. Additionally, counties would have to use research-based juvenile-specific probation standards and employ a local quality assurance specialist for support. The bills would make screening and assessment results confidential and set implementation standards.

          Status: Reported out favorable from the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. Referred to Senate as a whole. 


HB 4257-4260 AMEND PENAL CODE  
This bill is amending the penal code to expand the definition of child abuse to a person who knowingly and intentionally consents to, obtains, or assists with gender transition procedure for a child.  

          Status: This bill was referred to the House Committee on Criminal Justice.   


SB 53 AMENDS CHILD PROTECTION LAW 
This bill amends child protection law to make confidential records, including written reports, documents, and photographs available to members of state legislature (at the time of the request) and the media.

          Status: This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on oversight.  YIKES on this bill. 


HB 4019 AMEND PROBATE CODE  
This bill would amend the probate code establishing process for reinstatement of parental rights in limited circumstances for children 14 years and older where adoption is no longer the permanency goal. 

          Status: This bill was referred to the House Committee on Criminal Justice.   


HB 4120 AMEND CHILD PROTECTION LAW 
A bill to create comprehensive training materials for mandatory reporters of child abuse and child neglect. 

          Status: This bill was signed into law by the Governor on June 29, 2023 with immediate effect.  

All of the above legislation can be accessed at:  Michigan Legislature