Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate 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

The vote was 38 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 152 at Senate Journal 29)

Click here to view bill details.

if I walk down an icy sidewalk with my child I could be arrested? You guys need to get jobs in the real world. If you can't do anything worthwhile then don't do anything. It would be better for all of us.

I am passionate about protecting children in Michigan. Please, what is the benefit to society of changing Child abuse tired to a felony from a misdemeaner with the same imprisonment sentence? It will not deter, only create more convicted felons. It is not a change for the better, it is simply a change, and that I do not have the tax money to pay for. and I agree, I think without further definiton and clarification, the language of comminting an act "likely to cause physical harm to a child regardless of wheterh physical harm results" is way too broad. It goes too far, it does not help children.

"I am passionate about protecting children in Michigan." Does this apply to before they're born also? I have a hard time beliving you folks care about kids when you advocate murdering them prior to birth.

:-)

Hey Michigan. Did you watch that freak governor on TV? What a mess we are in! Hang on to your ass because our taxes are going to go through the roof....You got what you voted for.

dragging the bait, we see :-)

This law is going to be abused beyond belief! The legislator who wrote this is just plain stupid and lives in a fantasy world! PLEASE VOTE THAT PERSON OUT!

Hold on tight. Jenny is coming to get your money

I have 3 sons and a daughter ages 3 to 11 so I am as interested in protecting children as anyone.The problem is just like the sex offender law in our state it is to vast to many people that don't belong on it our on it.These laws always end up being abused by judges and prosecutors.I hope this fails like one other person said my pocket book is tapped out no more money to pay the prison system.

Look at the feedback on this! Where is your common sense Ron Jelinek.. and the rest of you.

Will this law apply to active alcoholics and drug addicts that are using while pregnant?

 

Rep. Caswell, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

This bill is well intentioned. However, it is too broad and will have unseen consequences. There are particular abuse problems this bill is attempting to address and the bill should be written to take care of just those problems and not be so broad.”

 

Rep. Agema, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

This opens up Pandora’s box and takes away parental rights. Already we have CPS taking kids away from parents for spanking- what’s next.”

 

Rep. Sheen, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I agree with the intent of this bill, but the defintion od “serious mental harm” is so subjective that almost anything could be considered serious mental harm. The definition must be tightened up and more objective, otherwise it create more problems than it helps.”