February 18, 2009, Introduced by Senators RICHARDVILLE, PAPPAGEORGE, CROPSEY, HARDIMAN, GILBERT, KAHN, JANSEN and BIRKHOLZ and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.
A bill to create the office of the legislative child fatality
investigator; and to prescribe the powers and duties of the
legislative child fatality investigator, the legislative council,
certain state departments and officers, and certain county and
private agencies serving children.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"legislative child fatality investigative review act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of human services.
(b) "Investigator" means the legislative child fatality
investigator created in section 3.
Sec. 3. (1) The office of the legislative child fatality
investigator is created within the legislative council.
(2) The principal executive officer of the office of the
legislative child fatality investigator is the legislative child
fatality investigator, who shall be appointed by and serve at the
pleasure of the legislative council.
(3) The principal purpose for the investigator is to identify
specific causes and systemic problems that contribute to the
mortality of children in foster care.
Sec. 4. (1) The legislative council shall establish procedures
for approving the budget for the office, expending funds, and
employing personnel. Subject to annual appropriation, the office
shall employ sufficient personnel to carry out the duties and
powers prescribed by this act.
(2) The investigator shall establish procedures for conducting
investigations, holding hearings, and reporting findings from
investigations.