CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS

Senate Bill 1021 (S-1)

Reported from House committee w/o amendment

Sponsor:  Sen. Jim Stamas

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Judiciary                                                            (Public Act 491 of 2016)

Complete to 12-13-16

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. (MCL 722.622 et al.)

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."

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

POSITIONS:

§  Representatives of the Michigan Chapter of the National Children's Alliance testified in support of the bill.  (11-29-16)

§  Michigan Judges Association indicated support for the bill.  (11-29-16)

§  Michigan Department of Health and Human Services indicated support for the bill.  (11-29-16)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                                           Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                 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.