ESTABLISH FAITH COMMUNITY
LIAISON
House Bill 5158
Sponsor: Rep. Gerald Van
Woerkom
Committee: Family and Children
Services
Complete to 2-10-00
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5158 AS INTRODUCED 12-2-99
The bill would create a new act to establish an "Office of Faith
Community Liaison" within the
governor's office. The governor would appoint a faith community liaison who would be the
executive director of the office. The person appointed to be the faith community liaison would
have to be knowledgeable of national and state faith based organization-government
collaboratives, be knowledgeable about public and private funding sources for programs and
services to the poor, and be a person identified with a faith community who demonstrates respect
for and willingness to work with all faith organizations and resources in Michigan.
The office of faith community liaison would be required
to:
- serve as policy advisor to the governor and the executive branch
on issues and policies
affecting Michigan faith communities regarding social services and initiatives serving the
needy;
- participate in hearings and meetings concerning how state
agencies relate to Michigan faith
communities;
- gather data and information and act as a clearinghouse on
issues concerning Michigan faith
communities regarding social services and initiatives serving the needy;
- develop working relationships and strategic partnerships
with Michigan faith communities that
provide social services and initiatives that serve the needy;
- work with Michigan faith communities to end the dependence of
needy parents on government
benefits by promoting job preparation, employment, marriage, and substance abuse
rehabilitation.
Analyst: D. Martens
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House
staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official
statement of
legislative intent.