LANSING, Mich., Feb. 18, 2026 — Today, the Michigan House passed two bills, House Bills 4530 and 5220, designed to better protect children at risk of harm. HB 4530, introduced by state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), would change the timeline for when a mental health professional would have to report important medical information to the Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworker or administrator from 14 days to seven days. HB 5220, tie-barred to HB 4530, introduced by state Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Alto), would require all mandatory reporters to receive training in child abuse and neglect detection every three years.
The bills are in response to recommendations made by the Office of the Child Advocate following a 2020 investigation into two tragic deaths of a mother and her child.
“We know that we can and should do better to protect our kids,” Pohutsky said. “Child abuse and neglect is a sad reality we face, but it is also a problem we can fix. Establishing clear reporting requirements will ensure quick action is taken to protect children when serious or threatening situations arise involving a child. This is an issue I have long advocated for, and I am grateful to see these bills pass the House. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to make this bill into law, so these preventable tragedies never happen again.”
“Protecting Michigan’s children is my top priority,” Rigas said. “These bills strengthen our response to abuse and neglect by halving the wait for critical mental health records to just 7 days and requiring mandated reporters to complete updated training every three years. Tragedies remind us that every moment counts — I’m proud to advance these bipartisan reforms to better safeguard vulnerable kids.”
“I’m grateful to Representatives Pohutsky and Rigas for working together across party lines,” said Ryan Speidel, Michigan’s Child Advocate. “Their commitment to child safety through House Bills 4530 and 5220 will make a real difference for Michigan’s children.”
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