Legislative Committee Meetings (hearings) related to DHS funding. Gov Snyder’s proposed budget and public testimony. The public is invited to these hearings under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. If you care to present a point of view or a comment, they must let you present it.
Senate Hearings:
Appropriations:Human Services Department (3/6/2012-2:00 PM)
Appropriations:Human Services Department (3/27/2012-2:00 PM)
Category Archives: Legislative Updates
Misguided “Parental Rights” Amendment Endangers Children
Michigan House Concurrent Resolution 11 would urge the United States Congress to begin the ratification process of a Constitutional amendment enshrining ‘parental rights’ as supreme while overriding all considerations of international laws and practices. This push is part of a nationwide effort to prevent the United States from ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The ACLU of Michigan is concerned that the so-called ‘Parental Rights Amendment,’ sponsored by Representative Agema, is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine international human rights treaties that protect children from abuse and exploitation. Link to Post
House Bill 5399 (2012) Bill Introduced in House
New Language to extend the statute of limitations for sexual conduct against a minor for ten years after the victim reaches 18 years of age. It also permits suit against the employer of the alleged perpetrator if the employer had notice of previous sexual conduct and failed to report to authorities or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent future acts of sexual conduct. Link to Bill Text
Senate Bills SB 602 and SB 603 (2012) Would Regulate Window Blinds
Two bills that would regulate window blinds and warn users about the dangers of
strangulation for children were passed in the Senate this week.
SB 602 and SB 603 prohibit the sale of window blinds without hardware to secure
the cord and a warning about the dangers of strangulation. The bills also prohibit
licensed day care centers from using window blinds if the cords can form a loop.
Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) sponsored the bills, noting that window
blinds pose a serious threat to the health and safety of children. The bills advanced
to third reading this week in the Senate.
Senate Bill 0934 (2012) Senate Fiscal Analysis Completed
The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to include in first-, second-, third-, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) a situation in which an employee, contractor, or volunteer of a child care organization or a foster home licensee engaged in sexual penetration or sexual contact with a resident of a foster home. Consent of the victim would not be a defense to prosecution. Link to Bill Text
Senate Bill 0694 (2011) Senate Fiscal Analysis Completed
The bill would amend the juvenile code to revise a provision granting jurisdiction to the family court over a juvenile whose home or environment is an unfit place for the juvenile to live due to certain factors, which would include any offense against a child, under the bill. The bill also would give the family court jurisdiction when the juvenile’s home or environment “will be” an unfit place to live. Link to Bill Text