CHILD ABUSE REPORTING - H.B. 5009: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 5009 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Mary Ann Middaugh
House Committee: Family and Children Services
Senate Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services
Date Completed: 1-28-02
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to increase from $100 to $500 the maximum fine for knowingly failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect.
Under the Law, a physician, coroner, dentist, registered dental hygienist, medical examiner, person licensed to provide emergency medical care, audiologist, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, certified social worker, social worker, social work technician, school administrator, school counselor or teacher, law enforcement officer, or regulated child care provider who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect is required to report the suspected child abuse or neglect to the Family Independence Agency. A person who fails to do so is civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by the failure and is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $100, or both.
MCL 722.633 - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State government and an indeterminate impact on local government. There are no data to indicate how many offenders might be convicted of knowingly failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect. To the extent that the bill would increase the fine from $100 to $500, it could potentially benefit public libraries, which receive all penal fine revenue.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. WicksallS0102\s5009sa
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.