S.B. 841: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - FOC: CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM.

Senate Bill 841 (as introduced 1-14-98)

Sponsor: Senator Robert Geake

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

Date Completed: 1-27-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Friend of the Court (FOC) Act to require that the FOC in each county provide the citizen advisory committee with all records and other information necessary for the advisory committee to perform its functions. (Public Act 366 of 1996 created an FOC citizen advisory committee in each county to review and investigate grievances concerning the FOC and advise the court and the county board of commissioners on the FOC's duties and performance as well as the community's needs relating to FOC services.)

A citizen advisory committee, its members, and its staff would have to consider confidential a record or other information to which the committee had access in order to perform its functions. The committee, members, and staff also would have to safeguard the use and disclosure of confidential records and information.

A committee or staff member who disclosed a record or other information would be guilty of a misdemeanor. An advisory committee member's unauthorized disclosure of a confidential record or other information would be grounds for removal from the board.

MCL 552.503 et al. - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

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

- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9798\S841SA

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.