CHILD ABUSE REPORT TO PROSECUTOR - S.B. 513 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 513 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Joel D. Gougeon

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to provide that, if the Family Independence Agency (FIA) received a report that a newborn infant had drugs or alcohol in his or her body, the FIA would have to transmit a copy of the written report to the prosecuting attorney of each county in which the child resided or was found.

(The Law requires certain professionals (e.g., physicians, coroners, social workers, teachers, law enforcement officers, and child care workers) to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the FIA. An oral report must be made immediately, and a written report must be made within 72 hours after the oral report is made. In addition, if a person subject to the reporting requirement knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a newborn infant has any amount of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in his or her body, the person must make a report to the FIA in the same manner as required for reporting suspected abuse or neglect.)

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 491, which would amend the Public Health Code to give priority for substance abuse services to a parent whose child had been removed from the home, or was in danger of being removed, because of the parent's substance abuse.

MCL 722.623a - Legislative Analyst: S. Margules

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed: 5-22-97 - Fiscal Analyst: J. Walker

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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.