Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on September 12, 2007, to revise citations in the third degree child abuse sentencing guideline statutory language to reflect changes in the law proposed by Senate Bill 158, which include 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 vote was 38 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 153 at Senate Journal 29)

Click here to view bill details.

Senator JELINEK, I must honorably commend your attention and efforts to reform the child welfare system through the mechanism of accountability. I am honestly touched by your intuition and initiative. I pray our fellow legislatures will follow your example. You are truly a leader. Thank you, Beverly Tran

By the way, could someone possibly construct a statutory definition, that must be uniformly applied in all public and private contracted child placing and child welfare agencies, with recognition through mandated judicial training, seasoned with a penalty structure to avoid litigation against the state, served with a side of citizen advocacy via the Attorney General, for the termonology of "parental rights"? It would, also, be quite lovely to have an understanding to what exactly is being terminated (parental rights)...and hopefully soon, "reinstatement of parental rights". This is Michigan's big chance to set precedent. Beverly Tran

Two weeks ago I disaplined my 17 year old son. Father call CPS reports child abuse. CPS worker decides on her own to change child home. Does not file papers with the court and does not contact the custodial parent. The father violated MCL 750.350a(2002) for two weeks and nothing is done. Is CPS above the law? Who holds these workers accountable? I requested documentation: date,time,photographer and location. Medical, Police facility where allegation was documented. Confirmation of the date, time of arrival and when the CPS worker visually saw and had contact with the child? I was told I was not allowed to have this information until the completion of her report. Nothing has been filed with the court to change the child custody order. I was told by the supervisor they are not held to the letter of the law. I have pictures from December 2006 when my ex husband assaulted my son and nothing was done. The father truly harmed him. The boy was denied the right to press charges. CPS said he was almost 18 so they could not get involved. No services offered. Is there anyone with integrity keeping watch over CPS?

The Chief Justice’s Prayer

In the honor of Maternal, Paternal, and Infantile Rights in Michigan,

Amen.

Our Chief Justice, who art in Lansing,

Hallowed be thy name, Clifford Taylor.

Thy thiefdom come; thy will be done,

In Michigan, as it is not in the Constitution.

Give us our rights, of due process in the courts,

And condignly commiserate our unenumerated rights;

As we condignly commiserate thine breaches of fiduciary duties;

And lead us not into judicial totalitarianism,

But deliver us onto democracy.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Now and for thine lifetime appointment.

Amen.

Written by Beverly Tran, in the year of our Honorable Supreme Court Chief Justice, two thousand and eight.

 

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. This bill is tied barred to SB158.”

Child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and emotional ill treatment,neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child health. A complex set of behaviors that include child neglect and the physical,emotional,and sexual abuse of children.Although most people think first of physical abuse when they hear the term child abuse,physical abuse makes up only a small percentage of reported cases.