2008 Senate Bill 1421 (Revise child abuse case procedures )

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Public Act 511 of 2008

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Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R) on June 26, 2008, to require the children's protective services bureau of the Department of Human Services to develop and use a child protection investigation checklist to determine whether the procedures followed in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect comply with state law.
- Referred to the Senate Families and Human Services Committee on June 26, 2008.
  - Reported in the Senate on August 27, 2008, with the recommendation that the bill pass.
- Substitute offered in the Senate on September 11, 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 September 11, 2008.
Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on September 16, 2008. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the House on September 16, 2008.
- Referred to the House Family and Childrens Services Committee on September 16, 2008.
  - Reported in the House on September 23, 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, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises various details, but does not change its substance. This version was subsequently superseded by another substitute with more changes. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on December 18, 2008.
- Substitute offered by Rep. Brenda Clack (D) on December 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 House by voice vote on December 18, 2008.
Passed in the House (109 to 0) on December 18, 2008, to require the children's protective services bureau of the Department of Human Services to develop and use a child protection investigation checklist to determine whether the procedures followed in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect comply with state law. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the Senate on December 18, 2008.
Passed in the Senate (37 to 0) on December 18, 2008, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill. [Vote Details and Comments]
Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on January 12, 2009.

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1) Re: 2008 Senate Bill 1421 (Revise child abuse case procedures ) [by crazycajun on January 21, 2009]

there are those who would believe that children being raised in a government apartment, living on government payments, and going to a government school is tantamount to abuse.

if all taxation would be to stop immediately for all domestic federally funded programs, and those programs ceased to exist, i wonder how many people would be 'up in arms' about it? oh, certainly those ON those programs would, but i wonder how many OTHERS?

child abuse is a great buzzword for allowing government to snoop into your home.

if you spank your child in this state, it's abuse.

if you keep your child in "timeout" too long, or "ground" him from something he enjoys, it's abuse.

there are so many things considered abuse, that children have no hope of ever becoming disciplined. parent's hands are tied by people who SAY they are acting for THE GOOD OF THE CHILDREN, but are really just snooping into other people's lives and causing mischief.

now, REALLY abused children have noplace to go except the government, as churches are afraid to get involved, and neighbors are just as terrified. so in effect, this heightened sensitivity to anything even remotely 'smacking' of abuse has made it just that much harder for REALLY ABUSED KIDS to get a fair shake in this system.

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2) Re: 2008 Senate Bill 1421 (Revise child abuse case procedures ) [by Dr. J.T. on January 20, 2009]

What DHS needs is qualified individuals to make any CPS investigation. The credentials of DHS caseworkers, CPS workers and there professionalism is not of any type of quality. They make judgement calls based on there own disrection and not in the best interest of the individuals involved. The entire CPS, DHS caseworkers needs to be restructured and every case looked back over because what they do and the decisions they make effect families, children and these people do not care about the children or the families.

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3) Mechanical Error [by beverlytran on September 18, 2008]
As a result of DHS "not rising to the occasion", far too many tears have been shed by children and families. The mechanical error that I have identified is the systemic deficiency of balances, which is embedded deep within the ethos of DHS. Balances might be more readily recognized as accountability.

The checks are now to be implemented as this legislation reflects the diligent and dedicated endeavors of brave spirits and bold minds to protect vulnerable children and, unfortunately, strengthens the impenetrable armor of immunity for those who "understood things could have been done better."

Now, with that said, where are the balances? When will the Office of Attorney General hold someone accountable for "not rising to the occasion."

If it has been determined that law and policy has been violated within the mechanical procedures of DHS, report it for the purposes of ameliorating future material and provisional violations of law and policy, particularly those committed under the color of law.

In order to protect the innocents, the errant knight, named Attorney General, must be armed with the weapons of accountability through the enforcement of fees, fines, sanctions, employment dismissal, license revocation, contractual debarment, and criminal prosecution.

I pray to the Honorable Members of the Senate and the House to allow the scales of justice to balance with accountability so that no more tears are shed.

Beverly Tran
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