Public Act 577 of 2008

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• Introduced by Sen. Ron Jelinek (R) on February 6, 2007, to revise the definition of third degree child abuse to include knowingly or intentionally committing an act that a person knew or should have known was LIKELY to cause physical harm to a child, and which did harm a child. Among other things this could apply to actions such as leaving a child unattended in a parked car. The bill would also include in the factors that constitute second-degree child abuse a person's reckless act that caused serious mental harm to a child.
  • Referred to the Senate Families and Human Services Committee on February 6, 2007.
  • Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 12, 2007.
    • Reported in the Senate on March 12, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the Senate on March 18, 2008, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 18, 2008.
• Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on March 19, 2008. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 19, 2008.
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 19, 2008.
    • Reported in the House on December 10, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
    • Substitute offered in the House on December 18, 2008. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on December 18, 2008.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Fulton Sheen (R) on December 18, 2008, to define "serious physical harm" for purposes of the bill as "any physical injury that that requires medical attention". The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on December 18, 2008.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker (R) on December 18, 2008, to establish requirements for a defense based on the claim of an accused person that the harm to a child was was due to treatment by "spiritual means" (or religious practices) in lieu of medical treatment. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on December 18, 2008.
• Passed in the House (83 to 23) on December 18, 2008, to revise the definition of third degree child abuse to include knowingly or intentionally committing an act that under the circumstances creates an unreasonable risk of harm to a child, and which did harm a child. Among other things this could apply to actions such as leaving a child unattended in a parked car. The bill would also include in the factors that constitute second-degree child abuse a person's reckless act that caused serious mental harm to a child. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on December 19, 2008.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R) on December 19, 2008, to define "serious physical harm" for purposes of the bill as "any physical injury that seriously impairs the child's health or physical well being, including, but not limited to, brain damage, a skull or bone fracture, subdural hemorrhage or hematoma, dislocation, sprain, internal injury, poisoning, burn or scald, or severe cut". The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on December 19, 2008.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R) on December 19, 2008, to stip out the provision added by the House establishing requirements for a defense based on the claim of an accused person that the harm to a child was was due to treatment by "spiritual means" (or religious practices) in lieu of medical treatment. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on December 19, 2008.
• Passed in the Senate (37 to 0) on December 19, 2008, to revise the definition of third degree child abuse to include knowingly or intentionally committing an act that under the circumstances creates an unreasonable risk of harm to a child, and which did harm a child. Among other things this could apply to actions such as leaving a child unattended in a parked car. The bill would also include in the factors that constitute second-degree child abuse a person's reckless act that caused serious mental harm to a child. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on December 19, 2008, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill. Passed in the House (90 to 4) on December 19, 2008. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on January 15, 2009.