CHILD FATALITY REVIEW - S.B. 504 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 504 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Loren Bennett

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to do all of the following:

-- Require each county, by January 1, 1999, to establish a standing child fatality review team to investigate each child fatality occurring in the county or counties that established the team.

-- Require a review team to notify the Children's Ombudsman before beginning an investigation, and allow the Ombudsman to choose to be represented or not on the team for purposes of that investigation.

-- Require the Family Independence Agency (FIA) tor make training available to each review team.

-- Require the FIA, by January 1, 1998, to establish an advisory committee to identify and make recommendations on policy and statutory changes pertaining to child fatalities and guide statewide prevention, education, and training efforts.

-- Require the advisory committee to publish an annual report on child fatalities.

-- Provide that an individual who was a member of a child fatality review team or the advisory committee would be immune from tort liability for injuries to persons or damage to property caused by the member while acting on behalf of the team or the advisory committee.

MCL 722.672 et al. - Legislative Analyst: S. Margules

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State government. The Family Independence Agency currently conducts child death reviews; therefore, the bill would codify this activity. The reviews began as a pilot project in January 1996 in 17 counties. The FIA plan is to expand to 30 communities during FY 1996-97, with full statewide implementation expected in FY 1997-98. The FY 1997-98 budget proposal includes an additional $500,000 Gross/GF to finance the expansion.

Various departments and agencies across State government are involved in the child death review activity. In the Michigan Public Health Institute's Second Quarter Report on Child Death Review Activity, the Institute outlined the various agencies' current-year expenditures. Total FY 1996-97 funding available is $262,200 and is divided among the agencies as follows: FIA, $180,000; Department of Community Health, $50,000; Michigan State Police, $15,000; Wayne County, $15,000; and the Michigan Public Health Institute, $2,200.

Date Completed: 5-15-97 - Fiscal Analyst: C. Cole

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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.