IDENTIFICATION OF FIA INVESTIGATOR H.B. 5589 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY




House Bill 5589 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Fulton Sheen
House Committee: Family and Children Services
Senate Committee: Judiciary


Date Completed: 5-18-04

CONTENT The bill would amend the Child Protection Law (CPL) to require a Family Independence Agency (FIA) investigator to identify himself or herself to certain individuals in the course of a child abuse or neglect investigation. The FIA investigator also would have to inform those individuals that they were being interviewed to discuss allegations of child abuse or neglect. The bill would require the FIA to ensure that its policies, procedures, and administrative rules ensured compliance with the CPL.


Under the CPL, the FIA must begin a child abuse or neglect investigation within 24 hours after receiving a report made under the Law or, in some cases, refer the report to the prosecuting attorney within 24 hours. In the course of its investigation, the FIA must determine if the child is abused or neglected and must cooperate with law enforcement officials, courts, and appropriate State agencies. The FIA also must provide, enlist, and coordinate necessary services, and take necessary actions to prevent further abuse, safeguard and enhance the child's welfare, and preserve family life where possible.


The bill would add that, in the course of a child abuse or neglect investigation, at the time an FIA investigator contacted an individual about whom a report had been made under the CPL or contacted an individual responsible for the health and welfare of a child about whom a report had been made, the FIA investigator would have to advise that individual of all of the following:

-- The FIA investigator's name.
-- Whom the investigator represented.
-- That the investigator was interviewing the individual to discuss an allegation of child abuse or neglect.


MCL 722.628 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

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

Fiscal Analyst: Constance Cole

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. hb5589/0304