CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS
Senate Bill 1021 (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Sen. Jim Stamas
House Committee: Judiciary
Senate Committee: Judiciary
Complete to 11-28-16
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 1021 would amend the Child Protection Law (CPL) to allow a confidential record about child abuse and neglect filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to be disclosed to a children's advocacy center in the course of providing services to a victim of child abuse or child neglect or to the child's family.
The bill defines "children's advocacy center" as an entity accredited as a child advocacy center by the National Children's Alliance or its successor agency or an entity granted associate or developing membership status by the National Children's Alliance or its successor agency.
The CPL requires certain professionals to report to DHHS if they have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, and imposes various investigative, reporting, record-keeping, and other responsibilities on the department. These include a requirement that the DHHS maintain a statewide, electronic central registry to carry out the statute. Except as otherwise provided, a written report, document, or photograph filed with the department is a confidential record available only to specified individuals and entities.
As noted above, Senate Bill 1021 would add to those entities, "a children's advocacy center in the course of providing services to a child alleged to have been the victim of child abuse or child neglect or to that child's family."
MCL 722.622 et al
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Viola Bay Wild
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.