CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TASK FORCE S.B. 1112:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1112 (as introduced 5-3-12)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to do the following:
-- Create the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children.
-- Require the Task Force to make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in Michigan.
-- Require the Task Force to submit to the Governor and the Legislature a final report containing its recommendations within 180 days.
-- Abolish the Task Force when the final report was submitted.
Specifically, the bill would create the Task Force within the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Governor, in consultation with the Department, would have to appoint members to the Task Force. Members would have to be individuals who were actively involved in the fields of prevention of child abuse and neglect and child welfare. The appointment of members would have to reflect the State's geographic diversity.
The Task Force would have to elect a presiding officer by a majority vote of its membership, and meet at the call of the presiding officer. Task Force members would serve without compensation and could not be reimbursed for their expenses.
The Task Force would have to make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in Michigan. In making those recommendations, the Task Force would have to do all of the following:
-- Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the State.
-- Receive reports and testimony from individuals, State and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations.
-- Review steps taken and programs established in other states to reduce child sexual abuse.
-- Create goals for State policy that were aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.
-- Submit a final report with the recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within 180 days after the Task Force members were appointed.
The recommendations could include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to foster cooperation among State agencies and between the State and local government.
The Task Force would have to consult with DHS employees who work on child protection matters, the Department of State Police, the State Board of Education, and any other State agency or department necessary to accomplish the Task Force's responsibilities.
Upon submission of the required final report, the Task Force would be abolished.
Upon written request from a child or his or her parent or legal guardian, the child would have to be excused, without penalty, from participating in the Task Force's information gathering efforts.
Proposed MCL 722.632b Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
Creation of the proposed Task Force would result in marginal costs to the State and possibly to local units of government. Associated costs could include printing, organizing and posting meetings, and distributing a final report.
Fiscal Analyst: Frances Carley
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.