MANDATORY REPORTERS; EXPAND H.B. 4376 (S-1) & 4377:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4376 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
House Bill 4377 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Beth Griffin (H.B. 4376)
Representative Kristy Pagan (H.B. 4377)
Senate Committee: Judiciary and Public Safety
CONTENT
House Bill 4376 (S-1) would amend the Child Protection Law to include athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants among the individuals required to report to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) if they have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect.
House Bill 4377 would amend the Child Protection Law to do the following:
-- Require the DHHS to create training materials for individuals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect and make the materials publicly available on its website.
-- Require an employer or organization to provide the training materials to an employee who was required to report.
MCL 722.623 (H.B. 4376) Legislative Analyst: Stephen Jackson
Proposed MCL 722.623b (H.B. 4377)
FISCAL IMPACT
House Bill 4376 (S-1) would have a negative fiscal impact on the DHHS. Because the bill would require that athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants report suspected child abuse or child neglect to Children's Protective Services (CPS) within the DHHS, there could be additional investigations. Children's Protective Services has the authority to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect by a caretaker of a child under the age of 18. If the allegation is made against someone other than a caretaker, then the investigative authority would rest with a law enforcement agency and could increase costs to local governments. In fiscal year 2018-19, the CPS investigated 95,868 cases of child abuse or neglect. Of those investigations, 72.7%, or 69,696 cases, were reported by a mandatory reporter and 27.3%, or 26,172 cases, were reported by nonmandatory reporters.
House Bill 4377 likely would result in a minor fiscal impact on the DHHS. Information provided by the DHHS indicates that, because the Department has developed and posted mandatory reporter training materials and resources on its website, the cost to create comprehensive training materials for mandatory reporters would be minimal. The DHHS will make these materials available; accordingly, there would be no fiscal impact on local units of government.
Date Completed: 12-10-20 Fiscal Analyst: John Maxwell
floor\hb4376 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.