Update and Analysis to Michigan Bills On Parental Rights

Sometimes contacting your local politicians does actually work!

This morning I wrote this post about a story I heard on the news. Word was a pair of bills were heading to Governor Snyder's desk that would make some changes to the laws around the termination of parental rights. All news reporting was pretty sparse, so I didn't have a whole lot of specifics to discuss.

@vickiebarker asked if I had any information on the actual bills. I didn't even have a bill number. And that got me curious. So I called (and emailed) the office of Michigan State Senator Rick Jones. They were able to provide some information. I now know the changes are contained the package of bills SB 419-421. But I had some other questions that his office was not able to answer, so they told me to reach out to Senator Judy Emmons' office.

I got a reply from someone in her office, but it was only to inform me that the Senator will respond when she can. I mostly just want to know whether this is something that they have been working on alongside the governor's office or not. In other words, does she think he is going to sign.

I'll drop a comment in here if I get a response.

The passed version (in identical form by both houses) of the bills can be found here: 419, 420, 421.
And if you don't want to read through the actual text of the bills, here is an analysis from the House: Summary.

I've read through it and pulled out what I consider the key points.

1

When a minor is under the jurisdiction of the court, they are now required to be returned to the parents if doing so would not cause a substantial risk of harm to the minor or to society.

2

Courts are now required to hold more regular review hearings to determine necessity of displacement order. If a new displacement order is not made, then the court must order the child to be returned to the parents.

3

In a neglect case, the bill now requires that the court determine whether the parents were financially able to provide the proper care for the child. If unable, then it does not qualify as neglect.

4

When building a case based on abuse or neglect of a sibling, the court must now determine whether the conditions that led to the prior termination have been rectified or not.

5

Arresting law enforcement must now collect full biometric data, not just fingerprints

It is certainly no sweeping change to the system. The summary also notes that these changes were actually triggered by some recent court cases in Michigan. Maybe this will build momentum in the legislature to look more closely at other aspects of CPS. We will see.

Be blessed,
~Sam

Image Source: Snyder

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