May 14, 2015, Introduced by Senators EMMONS, JONES, KNOLLENBERG, NOFS and BIEDA and referred to the Committee on Families, Seniors and Human Services.
A bill to amend 1975 PA 238, entitled
"Child protection law,"
by amending sections 2, 3, and 12b (MCL 722.622, 722.623, and
722.632b), section 2 as amended by 2014 PA 30, section 3 as amended
by 2014 PA 344, and section 12b as added by 2012 PA 593.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Adult foster care location authorized to care for a
child" means an adult foster care family home or adult foster care
small group home as defined in section 3 of the adult foster care
facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218, MCL 400.703, in which a child
is placed in accordance with section 5 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.115.
(b) "Attorney" means, if appointed to represent a child under
the provisions referenced in section 10, an attorney serving as the
child's legal advocate in the manner defined and described in
section 13a of chapter XIIA of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA
288, MCL 712A.13a.
(c) "Central registry" means the system maintained at the
department that is used to keep a record of all reports filed with
the department under this act in which relevant and accurate
evidence of child abuse or child neglect is found to exist.
(d) "Central registry case" means a child protective services
case that the department classifies under sections 8 and 8d as
category I or category II. For a child protective services case
that was investigated before July 1, 1999, central registry case
means an allegation of child abuse or child neglect that the
department substantiated.
(e) "Centralized intake" means the department's statewide
centralized processing center for reports of suspected child abuse
and child neglect.
(f) (e)
"Child" means a person
under 18 years of age.
(g) (f)
"Child abuse" means harm
or threatened harm to a
child's health or welfare that occurs through nonaccidental
physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or
maltreatment, by a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person
responsible for the child's health or welfare or by a teacher, a
teacher's aide, or a member of the clergy.
(h) (g)
"Child care organization"
means that term as defined
in section 1 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111.
(i) (h)
"Child care provider"
means an owner, operator,
employee, or volunteer of a child care organization or of an adult
foster care location authorized to care for a child.
(j) (i)
"Child care regulatory
agency" means the department of
licensing and regulatory affairs or a successor state department
that is responsible for the licensing or registration of child care
organizations or the licensing of adult foster care locations
authorized to care for a child.
(k) (j)
"Child neglect" means
harm or threatened harm to a
child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other
person responsible for the child's health or welfare that occurs
through either of the following:
(i) Negligent treatment, including the failure to provide
adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
(ii) Placing a child at an unreasonable risk to the child's
health or welfare by failure of the parent, legal guardian, or
other person responsible for the child's health or welfare to
intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so
and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk.
(l) (k)
"Citizen review panel"
means a panel established as
required by section 106 of title I of the child abuse prevention
and treatment act, 42 USC 5106a.
(m) (l) "Member
of the clergy" means a priest, minister,
rabbi, Christian science practitioner, or other religious
practitioner, or similar functionary of a church, temple, or
recognized religious body, denomination, or organization.
(n) (m)
"Controlled substance"
means that term as defined in
section 7104 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7104.
(o) (n)
"CPSI system" means the
child protective service
information system, which is an internal data system maintained
within and by the department, and which is separate from the
central registry and not subject to section 7.
(p) (o)
"Department" means the
department of health and human
services.
(q) (p)
"Director" means the
director of the department.
(r) (q)
"Expunge" means to
physically remove or eliminate and
destroy a record or report.
(s) (r)
"Lawyer-guardian ad litem"
means an attorney appointed
under section 10 who has the powers and duties referenced by
section 10.
(t) (s)
"Local office file" means
the system used to keep a
record of a written report, document, or photograph filed with and
maintained by a county or a regionally based office of the
department.
(u) (t)
"Nonparent adult" means a
person who is 18 years of
age or older and who, regardless of the person's domicile, meets
all of the following criteria in relation to a child:
(i) Has substantial and regular contact with the child.
(ii) Has a close personal relationship with the child's parent
or with a person responsible for the child's health or welfare.
(iii) Is not the child's parent or a person otherwise related
to the child by blood or affinity to the third degree.
(v) "Online reporting system" means the electronic system
established by the department for individuals identified in section
3(1) to report suspected child abuse or child neglect.
(w) (u)
"Person responsible for the
child's health or welfare"
means a parent, legal guardian, person 18 years of age or older who
resides for any length of time in the same home in which the child
resides, or, except when used in section 7(2)(e) or 8(8), nonparent
adult; or an owner, operator, volunteer, or employee of 1 or more
of the following:
(i) A licensed or registered child care organization.
(ii) A licensed or unlicensed adult foster care family home or
adult foster care small group home as defined in section 3 of the
adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218, MCL 400.703.
(iii) A court-operated facility as approved under section 14
of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.14.
(x) (v)
"Relevant evidence" means
evidence having a tendency
to make the existence of a fact that is at issue more probable than
it would be without the evidence.
(y) (w)
"Sexual abuse" means
engaging in sexual contact or
sexual penetration as those terms are defined in section 520a of
the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.520a, with a child.
(z) (x)
"Sexual exploitation"
includes allowing, permitting,
or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution, or allowing,
permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the photographing, filming,
or depicting of a child engaged in a listed sexual act as defined
in section 145c of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL
750.145c.
(aa) (y)
"Specified information"
means information in a
children's protective services case record related specifically to
the department's actions in responding to a complaint of child
abuse or child neglect. Specified information does not include any
of the following:
(i) Except as provided in this subparagraph regarding a
perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect, personal
identification information for any individual identified in a child
protective services record. The exclusion of personal
identification information as specified information prescribed by
this subparagraph does not include personal identification
information identifying an individual alleged to have perpetrated
child abuse or child neglect, which allegation has been classified
as a central registry case.
(ii) Information in a law enforcement report as provided in
section 7(8).
(iii) Any other information that is specifically designated as
confidential under other law.
(iv) Any information not related to the department's actions
in responding to a report of child abuse or child neglect.
(bb) (z)
"Structured decision-making
tool" means the
department document labeled "DSS-4752 (P3) (3-95)" or a revision of
that document that better measures the risk of future harm to a
child.
(cc) (aa)
"Substantiated" means a
child protective services
case classified as a central registry case.
(dd) (bb)
"Unsubstantiated" means a
child protective services
case the department classifies under sections 8 and 8d as category
III, category IV, or category V.
Sec. 3. (1) An individual is required to report under this act
as follows:
(a) A physician, dentist, physician's assistant, registered
dental hygienist, medical examiner, nurse, person licensed to
provide emergency medical care, audiologist, psychologist, marriage
and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, social
worker, licensed master's social worker, licensed bachelor's social
worker, registered social service technician, social service
technician, a person employed in a professional capacity in any
office of the friend of the court, school administrator, school
counselor or teacher, law enforcement officer, member of the
clergy, or regulated child care provider who has reasonable cause
to
suspect child abuse or child neglect shall make immediately, by
telephone
or otherwise, an oral report, or cause an oral report to
be
made, an immediate report to
centralized intake by telephone,
or, if available, through the online reporting system, of the
suspected
child abuse or child neglect. to the department. Within
72
hours after making the an oral report
by telephone to
centralized intake, the reporting person shall file a written
report as required in this act. If the immediate report has been
made using the online reporting system and that report includes the
information required in a written report under subsection (2), that
report is considered a written report for the purposes of this
section and no additional written report is required. If the
reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or
school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge of
the hospital, agency, or school of his or her finding and that the
report has been made, and shall make a copy of the written or
electronic report available to the person in charge. A notification
to the person in charge of a hospital, agency, or school does not
relieve the member of the staff of the hospital, agency, or school
of the obligation of reporting to the department as required by
this section. One report from a hospital, agency, or school is
adequate to meet the reporting requirement. A member of the staff
of a hospital, agency, or school shall not be dismissed or
otherwise penalized for making a report required by this act or for
cooperating in an investigation.
(b) A department employee who is 1 of the following and has
reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect shall make
a report of suspected child abuse or child neglect to the
department in the same manner as required under subdivision (a):
(i) Eligibility specialist.
(ii) Family independence manager.
(iii) Family independence specialist.
(iv) Social services specialist.
(v) Social work specialist.
(vi) Social work specialist manager.
(vii) Welfare services specialist.
(c) Any employee of an organization or entity that, as a
result of federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts,
would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a state
mandate or court order. A person required to report under this
subdivision shall report in the same manner as required under
subdivision (a).
(2) The written report or a report made using the online
reporting system shall contain the name of the child and a
description of the child abuse or child neglect. If possible, the
report shall contain the names and addresses of the child's
parents, the child's guardian, the persons with whom the child
resides, and the child's age. The report shall contain other
information available to the reporting person that might establish
the cause of the child abuse or child neglect, and the manner in
which the child abuse or child neglect occurred.
(3) The department shall inform the reporting person of the
required contents of the written report at the time the oral report
is made by the reporting person.
(4) The written report required in this section shall be
mailed
or otherwise transmitted to the county department of the
county
in which the child suspected of being abused or neglected is
found.centralized intake.
(5) Upon receipt of a written report of suspected child abuse
or child neglect, the department may provide copies to the
prosecuting attorney and the probate court of the counties in which
the child suspected of being abused or neglected resides and is
found.
(6) If an allegation, written report, or subsequent
investigation of suspected child abuse or child neglect indicates a
violation of sections 136b, 145c, 462a to 462h, or 520b to 520g of
the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136b, 750.145c,
750.462a to 750.462h, and 750.520b to 750.520g, or section 7401c of
the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7401c, involving
methamphetamine has occurred, or if the allegation, written report,
or subsequent investigation indicates that the suspected child
abuse or child neglect was committed by an individual who is not a
person responsible for the child's health or welfare, including,
but not limited to, a member of the clergy, a teacher, or a
teacher's aide, the department shall transmit a copy of the
allegation or written report and the results of any investigation
to a law enforcement agency in the county in which the incident
occurred. If an allegation, written report, or subsequent
investigation indicates that the individual who committed the
suspected child abuse or child neglect is a child care provider and
the department believes that the report has basis in fact, the
department shall, within 24 hours of completion, transmit a copy of
the written report or the results of the investigation to the child
care regulatory agency with authority over the child care
provider's child care organization or adult foster care location
authorized to care for a child.
(7) If a local law enforcement agency receives an allegation
or written report of suspected child abuse or child neglect or
discovers evidence of or receives a report of an individual
allowing a child to be exposed to or to have contact with
methamphetamine production, and the allegation, written report, or
subsequent investigation indicates that the child abuse or child
neglect or allowing a child to be exposed to or to have contact
with methamphetamine production, was committed by a person
responsible for the child's health or welfare, the local law
enforcement agency shall refer the allegation or provide a copy of
the written report and the results of any investigation to the
county department of the county in which the abused or neglected
child is found, as required by subsection (1)(a). If an allegation,
written report, or subsequent investigation indicates that the
individual who committed the suspected child abuse or child neglect
or allowed a child to be exposed to or to have contact with
methamphetamine production, is a child care provider and the local
law enforcement agency believes that the report has basis in fact,
the local law enforcement agency shall transmit a copy of the
written report or the results of the investigation to the child
care regulatory agency with authority over the child care
provider's child care organization or adult foster care location
authorized to care for a child. Nothing in this subsection or
subsection (1) relieves the department of its responsibilities to
investigate reports of suspected child abuse or child neglect under
this act.
(8) For purposes of this act, the pregnancy of a child less
than 12 years of age or the presence of a venereal disease in a
child who is over 1 month of age but less than 12 years of age is
reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect has
occurred.
(9) In conducting an investigation of child abuse or child
neglect, if the department suspects that a child has been exposed
to or has had contact with methamphetamine production, the
department shall immediately contact the law enforcement agency in
the county in which the incident occurred.
(10) The online reporting system described in this section
shall be implemented not later than January 1, 2017.
Sec. 12b. (1) The task force on the prevention of sexual abuse
of children is created within the department.
(2) The governor shall appoint members to the task force in
consultation with the department. The appointment of members must
reflect the geographic diversity of this state. Members of the task
force must include the following:
(a) Individuals who have experience and expertise in the
fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse and child
neglect, education, or child welfare.
(b) A representative from the Michigan coalition to end
domestic and sexual violence.
(c) A representative from the Michigan domestic and sexual
violence prevention and treatment board.
(d) A representative from the Michigan chapter of the national
children's alliance.
(e) An administrator or staff member of a child assessment
center.
(f) A licensed therapist trained to counsel or treat child
sexual abuse victims.
(g) A circuit court judge or his or her designee.
(h) A school district board member, intermediate school
district board member, or public school academy board member.
(3) The department director or his or her designee shall serve
as the task force's presiding officer. The task force shall meet at
the call of the presiding officer. The task force shall make
recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in this state. The
task force shall also make recommendations for school policies that
address the sexual abuse of children. In making those
recommendations, the task force shall do all of the following:
(a) Gather information concerning child sexual abuse
throughout this state.
(b) Receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and
local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and
private organizations.
(c) Review steps taken and programs established in other
states to reduce child sexual abuse.
(d) Create goals for state policy that are aimed at preventing
child sexual abuse.
(e) Create recommendations and guidelines for school policies
addressing sexual abuse of children according to section 1505 of
the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1505. These
recommendations and guidelines shall be flexible enough to allow
accommodation for local autonomy and values.
(f) Create recommendations and guidelines for age-appropriate,
evidence-based child sexual abuse awareness.
(g) Create recommendations and guidelines for school personnel
to respond appropriately to pupils affected by sexual abuse.
(h) Create recommendations and guidelines for providing
educational material to parents and guardians on the warning signs
of child sexual abuse and information on assistance and referrals
or resources.
(i) Develop a child sexual abuse protocol to be utilized by
all community partners in order to help to identify, prevent, and
investigate child sexual abuse.
(j) Submit a final report with the task force's
recommendations to the governor and the legislature not later than
365 days after the members of the task force are appointed.
(4) The recommendations described under subsection (3) may
include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to
foster cooperation among state agencies and between the state and
local government.
(5) The task force shall consult with the employees of the
department who work on child protection matters, the department of
state police, the state board of education, and any other state
agency or department necessary to accomplish the task force's
responsibilities under this section.
(6)
The members of the task force shall serve without
compensation
and shall not be reimbursed for their expenses.
(6) (7)
The task force shall be abolished
upon submission of
the final report required in subsection (3) to the governor and the
legislature.
(7) (8)
Upon written request from a child
or the child's
parent or legal guardian, that child shall be excused, without
penalty, from participating in the task force's information-
gathering efforts.
(8) (9)
As used in this section, "task
force" means the task
force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children created in
subsection (1).
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.