CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT REPORTING
House Bill 5984
Sponsor: Rep. Paul DeWeese
Committee: Family and Children Services
Complete to 5-2-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5984 AS INTRODUCED 4-30-02
The Child Protection Law (Public Act 238 of 1975) requires certain professionals who suspect child abuse or neglect to report the suspected abuse or neglect to the Family Independence Agency. The bill would add a member of the clergy to the list of mandated reporters. A member of the clergy would be defined to mean an individual who is ordained as a religious leader by a church, denomination, religious association, or religious sect. However, a privileged communication between an individual and a minister, priest, or Christian Science Practitioner would be grounds for not reporting any suspected child abuse or neglect.
Furthermore, the bill would add to the definition of "child abuse" any harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a member of the clergy that occurs through nonaccidental physical or mental injury; sexual abuse; sexual exploitation; or maltreatment.
MCL 722.622 et al.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.