Legislation will ensure that survivors are protected, will have their needs met

LANSING — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), along with legislators of both parties, worked together to get the first four of eight House Bills through the House today as part of the 2021 bicameral and bipartisan Sexual Assault Prevention and Education bill package. Legislators initially introduced the bills in this package during the 2018 investigation into the MSU and Larry Nassar scandal. This term, there are eight bills in the House and five bills in the Senate.

“We owe it to survivors throughout the state to finish what we started and make Michigan a leader in ending sexual abuse once and for all,” Rogers said. “These types of instances are not isolated to one college or university. We can’t afford to wait any longer to act on these necessary reforms.”

Currently, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is required by law to make training available; however, there is currently no way to ensure that this material is actually getting to mandatory reporters. Rogers’ bill, House Bill 4854, would require employers or organizations to provide these comprehensive training materials to those who are mandatory reporters.

“I am extremely proud that my first bill to pass the house will help survivors by ensuring that comprehensive and effective training standards are provided to help mandatory reporters meet their reporting obligations,” Rogers said. “I am also proud that this bipartisan group of legislators is working together to fight for these brave survivors. Today’s vote is an important step forward to finally getting these bills signed into law.”

A full list of House bills in the package can be found below. As a note, the five additional bills in the Senate that received a hearing in April and are expecting additional movement this fall are Senate Bills 223-227.

  • House Bill 4851 (Rep. Alexander) – Prohibits using a position of authority to prevent reporting of a crime.
  • House Bill 4852 (Rep. Cambensy) – Prohibits using a position of authority to prevent reporting of certain crimes to a university Title IX coordinator.
  • House Bill 4853 (Rep. Whiteford) – Requires physicians to retain medical records referencing anal or vaginal penetration for 15 years.
  • House Bill 4854 (Rep. Rogers) – Requires distribution of a training package to mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.
  • House Bill 4855 (Rep. Hauck) – Provides sentencing guidelines for physicians intentionally failing to maintain certain medical records.
  • House Bill 4856 (Rep. Bolden) – Exempts identities of parties proceeding anonymously in civil sexual misconduct actions under FOIA.
  • House Bill 4857 (Rep. Glenn) – Provides permanent loss of medical license for conviction of sexual misconduct under pretext of medical treatment.
  • House Bill 4858 (Rep. Rendon) – Provides permanent revocation of medical license for sexual misconduct under guise of medical treatment.

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