Bill Text: MI SB1221 | 2025-2026 | 103rd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Children: protection; right of first refusal as co-counsel for child protective services cases; extend to county prosecutors. Amends sec. 10 of 1975 PA 238 (MCL 722.630).
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 4)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-11-05 - Referred To Committee On Civil Rights, Judiciary, And Public Safety [SB1221 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2025-SB1221-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL NO. 1221
A bill to amend 1975 PA 238, entitled
"Child protection law,"
by amending section 10 (MCL 722.630), as amended by 1998 PA 483.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 10. (1) In each case filed under this act in which judicial proceedings are necessary, the court shall appoint a lawyer-guardian ad litem to represent the child. A lawyer-guardian ad litem represents the child and has powers and duties in relation to that representation as set forth in section 17d of chapter XIIA of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 712A.17d. All provisions of section 17d of chapter XIIA of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 712A.17d, apply to a lawyer-guardian ad litem appointed under this act.
(2) Beginning 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, in each case filed under this act that involves the prosecution of an individual for any crime listed under this act and that requires counsel as a co-petitioner, the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the child suspected of being abused or neglected resides and is found has the right of first refusal to act as co-counsel. If the prosecuting attorney refuses to act as co-counsel, the department may contract with outside counsel to act as co-counsel.
